What are the 5 castes?

How many castes are there?

The main castes were further divided into about 3,000 castes and 25,000 sub-castes, each based on their specific occupation. Outside of this Hindu caste system were the achhoots - the Dalits or the untouchables.

What are the castes in order?

What are the 5 classes that make up the Indian caste system?

What is the fifth caste?

Sudras (labourers and artisans) A fifth category, now often called Dalits, is outside the system; at the bottom of the hierarchy. It consists of those popularly known as 'Untouchables', and officially known as 'scheduled castes'. Mahatma Gandhi called them harijans: 'children of god'.

The Caste System in India

Who are Dalits 6?

Ans: Dalits are formerly known as untouchable - a person outside of the four Varnas, and considered below of all and polluting. Dalits include people as leather-workers, scavengers, tanners, flayers, cobblers, agricultural labourers, municipal cleaners and drum beaters. They are also known as broken people.

Who are untouchables 6?

Untouchability: A form of discrimination in which a particular caste of people is considered impure by “upper-caste” people is called untouchability. That caste is called “untouchables”.

What is the lowest caste in India?

Dalit (from Sanskrit: दलित, romanized: dalita meaning "broken/scattered"), also known as untouchable, is a name for people belonging to the lowest stratum castes in India.

Which is the second highest caste?

Kshatriya, also spelled Kshattriya or Ksatriya, second highest in ritual status of the four varnas, or social classes, of Hindu India, traditionally the military or ruling class.

Is Brahmin a high caste?

A Brahmin is a member of the highest caste or varna in Hinduism. The Brahmins are the caste from which Hindu priests are drawn, and are responsible for teaching and maintaining sacred knowledge.

What is low caste?

Historically Dalits have the lowest social status in Indian society. They were generally segregated and banned form participation in Hindu social life. This problem is the product of the caste system which is deep rooted in society.

What are the levels of caste system?

The traditional caste system consists of a hierarchy of four castes (varnas): Brahmins (priests and teachers), Kshatriyas (rulers and warriors), Vaishyas (merchants and cultivators), and Shudras (servants).

What is caste example?

The definition of caste is a system of hierarchical social classes, or a specific social class of people. When you are of a high social status, this is an example of your caste. The Brahmins are an example of a caste in the Hindu culture. Any of the differentiated types of individuals in a colony of social insects.

What is SC ST and OBC?

Constitutional and Legal Provisions. 1.1 Objective of providing reservations to the Scheduled Castes(SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in services is not only to give jobs to some persons belonging to these communities.

How many caste are there in USA?

There are four main Caste groups. Those at the very top are Brahmins, who have traditionally been priests, scriptural knowledge-keepers, and legislators. Below them in status are the Kshatriyas, who were kings and warriors. They are followed by Vaishyas, or the merchant classes.

What is the highest caste in India?

The highest caste within the General Category is Brahmin, historically the priests and other religious leaders who also served as educators. Just 4% of Indians today identify as Brahmin.

Which caste is high?

For instance, individuals born into the highest caste, that is, the Brahmin caste have usually been priests and scholars. Individuals born into the Kshatriya caste have been warriors and kings.

Who is real Brahmin?

A TRUE Brahmin is one who has acquired brahminhood not by birth but through his noble actions. He who has gained Supreme Self-knowledge is a Brahmin. Vedas and Epics proclaim that there is no caste differentiation in the Brahminic State.

Which is the third highest caste in India?

Vaishya, also spelled Vaisya, third highest in ritual status of the four varnas, or social classes, of Hindu India, traditionally described as commoners.

What do untouchables mean?

Definition of untouchable

(Entry 1 of 2) 1a : forbidden to the touch : not to be handled. b : exempt from criticism or control. 2 : lying beyond reach. 3 : disagreeable or defiling to the touch.

What is the order from top to bottom of the 4 castes in India?

The four classes were the Brahmins (priestly people), the Kshatriyas (also called Rajanyas), who were rulers, administrators and warriors), the Vaishyas (artisans, merchants, tradesmen and farmers), and Shudras (labouring classes).

Can a Dalit become a Brahmin?

Because a dalit Hindu can convert to Islam, Christianity or to Buddhism, but she can never turn into a Brahmin.

What are Schedule 6 castes?

1) Scheduled Castes (SC): In the caste system, the lowest rung of the system is occupied by the scheduled castes. These people were earlier considered as untouchables. 2) Scheduled Tribes (ST): They were the forest dwellers or people who belonged to tribes. They were considered outcastes and were discriminated against.

How many castes are there in India?

The Indian constitution, in Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 lists 1,109 castes across 28 states in its First Schedule, while the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 lists 744 tribes across 22 states in its First Schedule.

What did Ambedkar do for Dalit?

Ambedkar launched full-fledged movements for Dalit rights during the 1930s. He demanded public drinking water sources open to all and right for all castes to enter temples. He openly condemned Hindu Scriptures advocating discrimination and arranged symbolic demonstrations to enter the Kalaram Temple in Nashik.