Page 75 - SST Class 08
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Challenging the Caste
System
The caste system is unique to India. Ancient Inter-caste dining and marriage were strictly
Indian texts refer to the four-fold varna system taboo.
where society was divided into four castes-the Why Caste Reform?
Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), The idea of caste reform was closely linked with
Vaishyas (traders) and the Shudras (menial the social reform movement of the 19th century.
workers). Initially, caste was associated with one’s
g With the progress of the nationalist move-
profession and could be changed.
ment, intellectuals and freedom fighters
realised freedom from colonial rule was
meaningless unless it was accompanied by
social justice for all, even the most down-
trodden sections of society.
g The reformers rejected the idea that rituals
and social norms had to be followed simply
because they were mentioned in the
Shastras (scriptures).
g Justice Ranade, one of the early nationalists
said :
“The change which we should all seek is
thus a change from constraint to freedom,
Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors)
Vaishyas (traders) and the Shudras (workers) from credulity to faith..., from authority to
reason..., from bigotry to toleration, from
With the passage of time, the caste system blind fatalism to a sense of human dignity.
became extremely rigid and exploitative. It This is what I understand by social evolu-
became hereditary and people were no longer tion, both for individuals and societies in
allowed to change their occupations. this country.”
The lower castes were excluded from education g The most compelling reason for caste
and employment opportunities. reform was that it had to precede any
The Shudras were reduced to the status of political reform.
untouchables. They had to live on the outskirts
g Social thinkers pointed out that a society
of towns and villages in separate localities. characterised by people who were subjected
They could not use public facilities like tanks and to out-dated practices, superstitions and
wells and were denied entry to temples. They exploitation would never be able to prog-
could not mingle with the other castes for fear of ress.
polluting them.
Social Science-8 75
