Caste System (Part - 1)

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                                                                             Meaning :

             Caste is a predetermined social category based on birth of an individual that is ascribed status. Once an individual born in a caste, he has to remain in the same. Status, position and prestige of an individual are most likely to be fixed according to his caste. The caste system among joint family & village life are still the three basic pillars of Indian society.

                                                                            Definitions :

              

1- C.H Cooley : 

             defines caste as, when a class is somewhat strictly hereditary, we may call it a "Caste".

2- Anderson & Parker :

              "Caste is that extreme form of social class organization in which the position of an individual in the status hierarchy is determined by descent and birth".

3- Collins Dictionary :

                Collins Dictionary of Sociology states that, "Caste system is a form of Social Stratification which involves a system of hierarchically ranked, closed, endogamous strata, the membership of which is ascribed and between which contact is restricted and mobility is impossible".

        

                                                                     Origin of Term Caste :

The term 'Caste' is derived from the Spanish word 'Casta' meaning lineage. The Portuguese used the term caste first to denote the divisions in Indian caste system.

The Sanskrit word for Caste is 'Varna' which means 'Colour', it signifies particular class in a contemporary society defined by colour and occupation of people.