The exact origin of caste system cannot be traced. The
system is said to have originated in India. The records of the Indo-Aryan
culture contain the first mention and a continuous history of the factors that
make up caste. The people, who are known as Indo- Aryans belong linguistically
to the larger family of peoples designated either as Indo-Europeans or as
Indo-Germans.
In one form or the other caste system exists in every society
but Indian caste system is very deep rooted. In spite of the fact that it is
not being liked by many enlightened and unorthodox people yet the very fact
that our society has not been in a position to completely wipe it out is in
itself a proof of its utility and soundness. But how the caste system
originated is a problem which has drawn the attention of many of our modern
thinkers.
Theories about the
Origin of Caste System: Since caste system is very complex and complicated that is reason why
many theories have been put forth to solve this complex problem. In the words
of Dr. Majumder, “The complex nature of caste structure is
evident from fact that after a century of painstaking and meticulous research
on the history and function of social system, we do not possess yet a valid
explanation of the circumstances that might have contributed to the formation
and development of this unique system.” Some of the theories put forth are;
i.
Racial Theory. Risley and Majumder are
supporters of this theory. According to Risley
before Aryans came to India they were divided into four classes which came to
be regarded as four different races after their settlement. Majumdar believes that after the Aryans
established themselves as superior in India, they became a separate race. They
called defeated as the ‘Dasa’[1]
and thus Aryans and Dasas became two separate races.C
ii.
Political Theory. Some thinkers believe
that not race but political convenience and manipulation by those who wanted to
retain authority are the basis of caste system. In India, it is said, that the
Brahmins who wanted to hold authority devised this system. In the words of Dr. Ghurye, “Caste is a Brahmanic child of Indo-Aryan culture cradled in the land
of Ganga and thence transferred to other parts of India by Brahminic
prospectors.”
As
the priestly influence grew in India, complicated rules of ritual and conduct
were built up and incorporated into the religious books. The Brahmins closed
their ranks and tried to maintain their superiority over the other classes.
However, how the Brahmins manipulated is not very clear.
The
Brahmanic literature of the post-Vedic period mentions certain mixed classes
(Sankara jati) and also a group of outcaste classes (Antyavasayin). Among the
four varnas, the old distinction of Arya and Sudra now appears as Dvija[2]
and Sudra, The first three classes are called Dvija (twice born) because they
have to go through the initiation ceremony which is symbolic of rebirth. “The
Sudra was called “ekajati” (once born).
iii.
Occupational Theory. Nesfield is of the view that occupation is the basis of caste
system. In his opinion, “Function and
function alone is responsible for the origin of caste structure in India.” According
to him occupation is the basis of the caste system. In the beginning when there
was no rigidity each individual was free to have occupation of his choice. But gradually
with the rigidity in the system changing of occupation became difficult and
castes began to come into existence on the basis of occupation. Those who were
engaged in noble occupation like those of educating the people, fighting on the
battle-field or trade etc. become noble and began to be considered as those
belonging to superior castes and others began to be treated as persons
belonging to inferior caste e.g. the Sudras.
iv.
Traditional Theory. According to this theory,
the caste system is not of human but of Divine origin. There are some
references in Vedic literature wherein it is said that castes were created by
Brahma the supreme creator, so that human beings may harmoniously perform the
various social functions essential for the maintenance of society. According to
Dr. Mazumdar, “if, however we take the divine origin of the Varna’s as an allegorical
explanation of the functional division of society, the theory assumes practical
significance.”
v.
Guild Theory: According to Denzil Ibbetson, castes are the modified forms of guilds[3]. In his opinion, caste system is the product
of interaction of three forces:
a. tribes,
b. guilds, and
c. religion.
The tribes adopted certain fixed
professions and assumed the form of guilds. In ancient India, the priests
enjoyed greater prestige. They were a hereditary and endogamous group. The
other guilds also adopted the same practices and in course of time became
castes.
vi.
Religious Theory. Hocart
and Senart are the two main
advocates of religious theory. According to Hocart, social stratification originated on account of religious
principles and customs. In ancient India religion had a prominent place. The
king was considered the image of God. The priest kings accorded different
positions to different functional groups.
Senart has tried to explain the origin of caste system on the basis
of prohibitions regarding sacramental food. He holds that on account of
different family duties there grew up certain prohibitions regarding
sacramental food. The followers of one particular deity considered themselves
the descendants of the same ancestor and offered a particular kind of food as
offering to their deity. Those who believed in the same deity considered
themselves as different from those who believed in some other deity.
vii.
Evolutionary Theory. According to exponents of this
theory it is wrong to believe that castes came into being all of a sudden. It
is the result of a long process of social evolution. They also argue that
gradually and slowly many factors contributed in it. Some such factors which
contributed in it included desire for
purity of blood, devotion to a particular profession, theory of Karma and
system of ancestral worship, colour prejudices, economics systems, conquest of
one army by the other and
geographical location and isolation. Their role differed from time to time
but all these factors combined together helped in the emergence and
strengthening of caste system.
Caste system is not specifically an
institution of the Hindus but is a typical Indian institution. Since caste
system is not a monopoly of India. It existed and still exists in many parts of
the world. The feudal system of medieval Europe was a species of caste system.
Certain ethnic groups such as Jews and Negroes are still treated as castes in
many civilized countries including the United States. What is unique in the
Hindu caste system is that it alone classified some groups as untouchable and
unapproachable.
[1]
Dasa is a Sanskrit word
found in ancient Indian texts such as the Rigveda and Arthasastra. It usually
means “enemy” or “servant” but dasa, or das, also means a “servant of God”, “devotee” “votary” or “one who has
surrendered to God”.
[2]
Dvija means “twice-born”. The concept is premised on the
belief that a person is first born physically and at a later date is born for a
second time spiritually, usually when he undergoes the rite of passage that
initiates him into a school for Vedic studies.
[3]
Guilds were
occupational associations of pre and early industrial society which
communicated the lore and skills of a trade by means of formal apprenticeships,
control and members occupational activities and the exclusion of outsiders from
practicing the trade. They were normally fraternal and corporate bodies. Under
Guild system there used to be two kinds of guilds – the Merchant Guilds and
Craft Guilds.
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