Ambedkar-Philosophy of Hinduism

AMBEDKAR'S PHILOSOPHY OF HINDUISM AND CONTEMPORARY CRITIQUES
PROF. M. M. NINAN
V CASTE SYSTEM IN INDIA
One of the most controversial topic regarding the India's society and culture is its stringent caste system. The
word "caste” is taken from the Portuguese word ‘casta’. It can be defined as a rigid social system in which a social
hierarchy is maintained generation after generation and allows little mobility out of the position to which a
person is born.
This system dates almost 3000 years back and was formed based on the need to form a social order in ancient
India. It is still very prevalent as part of India's society. Today, it occurs more in the rural villages than in big urban
cities; and more in the social matters of kinship and marriages than in impersonal day-to-day interaction, such as
taking the bus. Having been around for centuries, it is highly doubtful that the caste system will die out
completely. Its presence will still be felt in the near future.
The original caste system came about when the Aryans migrated from the north to India around 1600BC. During
the Vedic age, Manu, the founder of this ancient Hindu or Aryan society established the new social order,
reflecting a return to spiritual values from an earlier and materialistic humanity. He founded four social orders
based on four main goals of both humans and society. A social classification system of four different classes
(varnas) was thus devised so that the human race could have a smooth and ordered life in society.
The origin of the caste system is in Hinduism, but it affected the whole Indian society. The caste system in the
religious form is basically a simple division of society in which there are four castes arranged in a hierarchy and
below them the outcast. But socially the caste system was more complicated, with much more castes and subcastes
and other divisions. Legally the government disallows the practice of caste system but has a policy of
affirmative discrimination of the backward classes.
The caste system in India can be described as an elaborately stratified social hierarchy distinguishing India’s social
structure from any other nation. Its history is multifaceted and complex Caste is a term, which is used to specify a
group of people having a specific social rank and dates back to 1200 BCE. The Indian term for caste is jati, and
generally designates a group that can vary in size from a handful to many thousands. There are thousands of jatis
each with its own rules and customs. The various jatis are traditionally arranged in hierarchical order and fit into
one of the four basic varnas the (Sanskrit word for “colors”).
*The varna of Brahmans, commonly identified with priests and the learned class
*The varna of Kshatriyas, associated with rulers and warriors including property owners.
*The varna of Vaishyas, associated with commercial livelihoods (i.e. traders)
*The varna of Shudras, the servile laborers
The Untouchables occupy a place that is not clearly defined by boundaries and is outside of the varna scheme.
Their jobs (such as toilet cleaning and garbage removal) cause them to be considered impure and thus
“untouchable.” Historically the untouchables were not allowed in temples and many other public places. In 1950
legislation was passed to prevent any form of discrimination towards the untouchables. Although legislation has
affected the status of the people, they are yet very much a visible part of Indian society.
Religious Background
The earliest expressions of caste can be found in one of India’s vast bodies of religious scripture known as the
Vedas, which are though to have been complied between 1500 and 1000 BCE, although the time of their
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