Home About Contact me Privacy policy
Whenever India's achievements are discussed on world stage, someone always pops up a question that maligns India's name- 'Untouchability'.
The caste system of India remains a dark spot in the otherwise vibrant history of India. But is it exclusive only for India?
Innocent uneducated folks have always suffered because of some educated groups who were able to climb the social ladders using the shoulders of the fellow masses as the steps of ladder. It is not just a matter of history. Even today, the less educated masses work as labourers and drain-cleaners while the more educated people continue to hold big lofty posts. The division of work is essential for the function of any society. This is called the 'varna system' in Hinduism. The original varna system was just like the present day division of work. It was a mobile system where the son of a potter could become the head of the Republic while the son of a chieftain could learn and teach others. The problem began with the increase in power of some particular groups who destroyed the mobility of varna system.
Still, there have been many instances in the history of India where people from the 'oppressed classes' became rulers though I won't state their names because this will start a new caste claiming debate. According to the Hindu mythologies, there are many instances where Gods took birth even in the 'oppressed class' families. One of the supreme Hindu dieties, Lord Krishna was born in a yadav family which is now considered as another backward community by the government of India. So, it was not always the case that some castes were always excluded from the mainstream society of Indians. This was the nature of the caste system or the varna system of India. Now, let's talk about the other societies of the world.
To begin with, let's talk about the western society which constantly ridicules India for its caste system:
Cagots- Cagots were the dalits( which means 'the oppressed') of France and Spain. They were made to live in outskirts of town. Cagots were excluded from all political and social rights. They were not allowed to marry non-Cagots, enter taverns, hold cabarets, use public fountains, sell food or wine, touch food in the market, work with livestock, or enter the mill. They were allowed to enter a church only by a special door, and during the service, a rail separated them from the other worshippers. Either they were altogether forbidden to partake of the sacrament, or the water stoup was reserved for their exclusive use. They were compelled to wear a distinctive dress.
Their cruel treatment lasted through the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Industrial Revolution, with the prejudice fading only in the 19th and 20th centuries. These types of castes were present in almost all the societies that existed. Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, Tibetans, Middle Eastern and Africans all had such kind of a caste system. However, only the Indian caste system seems to be highlighted every now and then. If you try to give an explanation for this prejudice by saying that it still exists in the Hindu society, then you need to need to know that even other religions have this kind of divisions. Islam has Ashrafs which are considered superior because of their aristocratic ancestry while the Ajlafs and Arzals are considered inferior. There are separate seats, separate communion cups, burial grounds, and churches for members of the lower castes, especially in the Latin Catholic Church.
I am not supporting caste system but I do wish to say that India is not the only place where caste system prevailed. So, do keep this in mind before you ridicule my nation!!
Read more articles:
Homepage
Whenever India's achievements are discussed on world stage, someone always pops up a question that maligns India's name- 'Untouchability'.
The caste system of India remains a dark spot in the otherwise vibrant history of India. But is it exclusive only for India?
Innocent uneducated folks have always suffered because of some educated groups who were able to climb the social ladders using the shoulders of the fellow masses as the steps of ladder. It is not just a matter of history. Even today, the less educated masses work as labourers and drain-cleaners while the more educated people continue to hold big lofty posts. The division of work is essential for the function of any society. This is called the 'varna system' in Hinduism. The original varna system was just like the present day division of work. It was a mobile system where the son of a potter could become the head of the Republic while the son of a chieftain could learn and teach others. The problem began with the increase in power of some particular groups who destroyed the mobility of varna system.
Still, there have been many instances in the history of India where people from the 'oppressed classes' became rulers though I won't state their names because this will start a new caste claiming debate. According to the Hindu mythologies, there are many instances where Gods took birth even in the 'oppressed class' families. One of the supreme Hindu dieties, Lord Krishna was born in a yadav family which is now considered as another backward community by the government of India. So, it was not always the case that some castes were always excluded from the mainstream society of Indians. This was the nature of the caste system or the varna system of India. Now, let's talk about the other societies of the world.
To begin with, let's talk about the western society which constantly ridicules India for its caste system:
Cagots- Cagots were the dalits( which means 'the oppressed') of France and Spain. They were made to live in outskirts of town. Cagots were excluded from all political and social rights. They were not allowed to marry non-Cagots, enter taverns, hold cabarets, use public fountains, sell food or wine, touch food in the market, work with livestock, or enter the mill. They were allowed to enter a church only by a special door, and during the service, a rail separated them from the other worshippers. Either they were altogether forbidden to partake of the sacrament, or the water stoup was reserved for their exclusive use. They were compelled to wear a distinctive dress.
Their cruel treatment lasted through the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Industrial Revolution, with the prejudice fading only in the 19th and 20th centuries. These types of castes were present in almost all the societies that existed. Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, Tibetans, Middle Eastern and Africans all had such kind of a caste system. However, only the Indian caste system seems to be highlighted every now and then. If you try to give an explanation for this prejudice by saying that it still exists in the Hindu society, then you need to need to know that even other religions have this kind of divisions. Islam has Ashrafs which are considered superior because of their aristocratic ancestry while the Ajlafs and Arzals are considered inferior. There are separate seats, separate communion cups, burial grounds, and churches for members of the lower castes, especially in the Latin Catholic Church.
I am not supporting caste system but I do wish to say that India is not the only place where caste system prevailed. So, do keep this in mind before you ridicule my nation!!
Read more articles:
Homepage
Not only this, I was shocked to find out the British Colonial government involvement in making this system rigid.
ReplyDeletePlease check out-
http://qr.ae/TgVkhX
Not only this, they even have an important role in creating even more divisions in Indian society like 'Aryan dravidian division' which is still believed by many Indians and is a source of present day problems like North vs South.
DeleteCHECK OUT THIS LINK
https://hindustan-revival.blogspot.in/2018/03/debunking-aryan-dravidian-division.html
Yes. Really good analysis
Delete