Racial theory (Varna) According to Mazumdar Caste system originated after the arrival of Aryans in India. We should not look at India’s current caste makeup as representing the original four Varna system, or its current caste problems as caused by the ancient Varna order. If we look into our Vedas and Purana's we come to know that we had different caste system back then we have today. The caste system has influenced the traditional rural Indian society by affecting the economic system, which seems to be related to the social economics stratification. The earliest known mention of caste is found in the Aryan’s Vedic hymns, perhaps dating from about 1000 B.C.E. When the system of inheritance of memberships of the four varnas emerged the stage was set for the births of the castes. Those who fall out of this system because of their grievous sins are ostracised as outcastes (untouchables) and considered outside the varna system. Caste or Varna System is a purely Indian phenomenon and especially it is practiced among Hindus, though with time, as far as India is considered, other religions such as Islam, Sikhism, Christianity etc. 64 4 4 bronze badges. Caste or ‘Jati’ originates from the root word ‘Jana’ which implies taking birth. 130+ Prelims Marks is Possible. 1answer 220 views Has any Hindu scholar who upheld birth based Varna system refuted Assalayana Sutta? ‘Caste System ’ is the anglicized name for India’s social order. Join ClearIAS Prelims Test Series 2021. Circa 1868; First of all, let’s talk about its origin, that is, varna and varna systems. La réalité indienne est cependant beaucoup plus complexe. What is Varna? Those who fall out of this system because of their grievous sins are ostracised as outcastes (untouchables) and considered outside the varna system. Varna system, now known commonly as caste system, is a deep rooted social order in Hindu society. The caste system is called `Varna Vyavastha’ and the word `Varna’ in Sanskrit literally means colour of the skin. As already been explained it is much like the western concept of racism, it can also be compared with the Class System of European continent. Hindu caste system—the varna—developed in the period 1500-1000 B.C. They, therefore ended up calling it as ‘Casta’ meaning undefinable. Vaishya varna is a Sanskrit term that refers to the third of the four social groups in the Indian caste, or varna, system.Vaishya translates as “settler” or “homesteader” and derives from a word that means “to live.”Traditionally, the Vaishya varna was composed of people who worked in agriculture, trade and commerce. It is a rigid system which arranges persons into Classes or Social Strata. Varna system is the social stratification based on the Varna, caste. At the top of the hierarchy were the Brahmins who were mainly teachers and intellectuals and came from Brahma’s head. Varna system is extensively discussed in Dharma-shastras. Next lesson. How the Varna system actually became today’s caste system, with 100s of castes and sub-castes, is a matter of history. Varna System is one of the most famous and controversial topics in Hinduism. Largest Hindu and Hinduism site on the net. It was defined as a Varna system. It is popularly accepted that the Indian caste system is at least 3000 years old, though an analysis of the Vedic literatures suggests that it is perhaps as old as Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) itself. It is made of four varnas, with the Brahmins on the top and the Shudras at the bottom. VARNA/CASTE SYSTEM AND DHARMASHASTRAS. The former President of India S. Radhakrishnan in his book “The Hindu View of Life” presented a fascinating picture of Hindu society. Varna system is one of the most debatable phenomena of India and is tarred with many controversies. Only if you are guided the right way. Each of the four Varnas has its own Dharmas (duties) or ethical codes. Four basic categories are defined under this system - Brahmins (priests, teachers, intellectuals), Kshatriyas (warriors, kings, administrators), Vaishyas (agriculturalists, traders, farmers ) and Shudras (workers, labourers, artisans). Varnas and the Caste System. But, what is clear is the fact that there are stark differences between the ancient Varna system and the modern caste system. The entire system of varna and jati is called the caste system. The first school focuses on the ideological factors which are claimed to drive the caste system and holds that caste is rooted in the four varnas. In India it is traditionally known as the ‘Four Varna System’. Disclaimer: The facts and opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). In Hinduism, the Varna System was based on class, colour, guna and yoga. Indologists give different dates to this period of change. Some claim the change occurred around 500 B. C. and other claim 500 A. D. Until then, communities and even singular person moved from one Varna to another Varna, because of their desire to adopt different occupations. scripture philosophy caste-system varna. as a result of the Aryan conquest of India. It has remained unshakable over thousands of years. The Indian Varna system (caste system), which is often painted negatively and presented likewise even in school textbooks, is perhaps one of the most misinterpreted social hierarchies of the world. In 2001, a report was published that in India 36.3% of people own no land, 60.6% own about 15% of the land, with a very wealthy 3.1 % owning 15% of the land. Les Indiens désignent par jati le nom de leurs castes (l'usage du mot caste tire son origine des Portugais, premiers Européens en Inde). Of memberships of the four varnas emerged the stage was set for the births the! 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