Q. ‘Caste system is evolutionary’. How far do you agree with this?
Ans: The exact origin of the 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 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 the 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 the caste system is very complex and complicated that is the 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.
ii. Political Theory. Some thinkers believe that not a race but political convenience and manipulation by those who wanted to retain authority are the basis of the 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 the 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 an 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 a 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, the caste system is the product of the 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 the 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 to 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 the caste system.
The caste system is not specifically an institution of the Hindus but is a typical Indian institution. Since the 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 the 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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