Hindu Caste System

Question 1

Varna (Caste)

Answer 1

A caste is a group within Hindu society. There are four main traditional castes and thousands of subgroups, called jat or jati, within these.
The group a Hindu is born into can decide what jobs they may get and what their duties are in life.

Question 2

Rig Veda

Answer 2

Rig Veda (oldest and most sacred Hindu scripture) describes the whole of society as if it were a human body:
● The teachers and priests are like the head.
● The warriors and leaders are like the upper body.
● The merchants, traders and farmers are like the strong legs.
● The manual workers and labourers are like the feet.

Question 3

Dalits

Answer 3

The Dalits are a large group in Hindu society, making up over 15% of India’s population. The word ‘Dalit’ means ‘the broken’. It is a name that Dalits choose for themselves, replacing older very negative terms. They are excluded from the caste system and they have experienced persecution.

Question 4

Illegal Dalit discrimination

Answer 4

It is illegal in India to discriminate against anyone in employment, but caste groupings can still keep society unequal and unfair in some ways.

Question 5

Order of Castes

Answer 5

Brahmins (priests, teachers), Kshatriyas (rulers, warriors), Vaishyas (landowners, merchants) and Sudras (servants), Dalits (the untouchables)