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by
Marisa Cox
Caste
is a word that is of European origin, and can be used in a variety
of ways. In this context, it will be used as a noun to
denote an abstract principle or a particular social group; as an
adjective to describe the quality of this principle or the
character of the group. The notion of the caste system first
appears to have been established in 1000 BC, in the hymn of the
Rgveda. In this hymn, four varnas, the Sanskrit word for
caste, are presented: Brahmana, Rajanya (later referred to as
Kshatriya), Vaishya and Sudra. Each of these had emanated
from the “lord of the beings” Purusha, who was
sacrificed at the beginning of time. (Quigley, 18).
“When they divided Purusha…his mouth became the Brahman;
his arms were made into the Rajanya; his thighs the Vaishyas; from
his feet the shudra was born.” (Rigveda x, 90;11-12)
(Quigley, 7). In the code of Manu, a later Hindu law book,
each varna is represented as fundamentally different in function,
and each is required to perform a paticular function as it’s
“divinely ordained duty.”(Quigley, 8).
Here is where the concept of caste
takes form. Each caste is required to fulfill some duty in
the society, and this is how the society functions. Because
each duty is different, a principle of hierarchy is established;
which is to say that some duties are pure and others are
not. The people who are born into the caste which performs
the “pure” duties belong to a higher caste than those
who perform impure duties, or who are just impure. “The
superiority and the superior purity are identical; it is in this
sense that, ideologically, distinction of purity is the foundation
of status.” (Dumont 1980:56, Quigley,25).
According to idealist theory, there are three essential
characteristics of the caste system; these being separation,
interdependence, and hierarchy. Separation pertains to
matters of marriage and contact. Interdependence is such
that each group has in theory and tradition a profession or duty
from which its members can only depart in certain circumstances
and within limits. Hierarchy then ranks the groups as
relatively superior or inferior to each other.(Quigley,
26).
Although inequality does exist in the
caste system, each caste’s duty is essential to maintain the
villages' way of life. The Brahman’s, the highest
caste, are often priests and provide the society with a way to
worship the gods of the Hindu religion and to pray to them.
The Kshatriyas are seen as the warriors in the ancient histories,
but in modern day are often the rulers. Their duty is to
protect, therefore they are the only caste that is allowed to
carry arms. As protectors, they provide society with laws
and to make sure people are safe. The Vaishyas are the
merchants. Their duty is trade, and they provide the
villages with the necessities. The Sudras are the servants,
and they are there to serve the higher castes. The
Untouchables, the lowest caste, do the most menial of work, often
cleaning up feces and other dirty jobs as such. (Lecture, 3-2-99).
(Oman, 85). (Hazari,119.)
The way of life in India may be seen
as a complicated system of unfair inequalities to our western eyes
and minds. However, in India, this system has existed
efficiently for thousands of years. We may look at it as a
harsh separation of people who would normally be equal in a
different culture, but to the Hindu’s it is a natural
way of life and afterlife, because while there may be inequalities
in the society, they are governed by the gods of karma and dharma.
(Lecture, 3-2-99). The caste’s interactions with
one another is based on one’s rank; rank differences and
feelings of solidarity between persons drawn from different castes
are immediately observable. An interaction between a Brahman
and an Untouchable is often marked by an elaborate display
of homage on the part of the Untouchable, while the Brahman
expresses his power and position with harsh authority and swear
words. Similarly, relations of cordial alliance between
members of two high ranking castes will be characterized by mutual
intimacy, gossip and frank discussion of certain topics pertaining
to them. (McGilvray, 97-99).
These theories of caste that I have explained are only
the idealist view. There are many other abstract theories
that exist, and one of them is Hocart's comparative study, which
is what is discussed in An Interpretation of Caste, and is what I
will now discuss.
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These theories of caste that I have explained are only the idealist view. There are many other abstract theories that exist, and one of them is Hocart's comparative study, which is what is discussed in An Interpretation of Caste, and is what I will now discuss. |