We can define caste as a hierarchical social class system where the occupation , ritual and notion is based on birth not on talent.
Caste is a symbol in society, if you belong to a higher caste, you are eligible to all and any kind of social activities and occupations, whereas if you belong to a lower caste, access to social activities and occupations is highly restricted.
In contemporary times, we can contemplate caste's to be equivalent to an entry pass to a high society party.
There are 2 predominant theories about the origin of castes in India.
The Aryan Theory
According to the social historical theory, the Aryans arrived in India in around 1500 BC. Because of their light skin and Indo-European traits they always considered themselves as the superior race and treated every other race with inferiority.
They organized the social structure in the society and disregarded all prevailing traditions in the society.
They organized themselves into 3 groups, the first group comprised of warriors which was named, Rajanya, who later came to be known as Kshatriya's. They were the protectors of the entire civilization who regulated law and order by protecting the people from external and internal threats.
The second group was of the Brahmans, who were religiously and spiritually inclined.
There was a constant struggle for political power between the above mentioned groups.
The last groups comprised of Farmers, Craftsmen and businessmen, who were later known as Kshatriyas.
There was one other group that wasn't officially recognized in the social structure. Whenever the Aryans waged war against another territory and won the war, the native citizens of that territory would be taken in as slaves, who were called Sudra's.
Brahmanical Theory
It gets its shape from the teachings in the Rig Veda.
The theory regards society as the Human Body and attribute the Brahmins as the head of the body. They are entrusted with the task of spiritual and religious practices.
The hand of the society are the Kshatriyas who are entrusted with the task of protecting the civilization from all external threats and internal aggressions. They also play a vital role in maintaining law, order and peace.
The Vaisyas form the stomach of the society. With roles like that of farmers and agriculturalist, they were entrusted with task of feeding the people.
At the foot of the society, there are the Sudra's who are treated with utmost contempt and given shallow jobs like that of picking up garbage and cleaning toilets. They are shunned from society and made to live on the outskirts so that no upper castes have to bear the look of this section of society.
However unfair this may sound and look, they believed that just like every body part has a different function, the societal pyramid also entrusts different people with different tasks.
Written By - Shivam Jha
Edited By - Tushna Choksey
Social