India's Caste System

Caste System

A system dividing people into social ranks; each rank receives a set of strict rules that muse be followed or will result in punishment and/or banishment.

Vaishyas

Are considered the middle, third caste and procedure merchants, farmers, and other employments related to agriculture and trade.

Brahmans

Are seen as the highest, purest caste and procedure priests and teachers. Males belonging to this caste must study a collection of ancient texts (the Vedas) and may teach religiously-based subjects to other twice-born caste members. Because of their high social rank, this caste is faced with a hash set of rules that assist in the maintaining of their purity. (EX: they can't obtain food or defend themselves.)

Khastrians

Are seen as the second highest caste and procedure leader and soldiers. Both the Brahmans and this caste are considered as the upper class, and people in this caste have the option to follow many of the same practices of the Brahmans and have to study the Vedas as well.

Untouchables

Are the outcasts of the caste system; they have no official place in it. This group takes care of the jobs no one wants to do, such as getting rid of dead animals and cleaning sewers, and is seen as so impure that a single glance could stain the purity of others (namely the Brahmans). This rank may be brought upon one by the disobeying of rules or marridge between different castes.

Sudras

are seen as the lowest caste and procedure servants and slaves. Their only purpose in life (or so was decided) is to serve the twice-born castes, but this caste could also grow wealthy and rise into a higher substance.