Definitions: Varnas : four divisions of Hindu Society Brahmins : highest of the varnas, from which priests must come Kshatriyas : second of the varnas, who are rulers/kings Vaishyas : third of the varnas; whoare the merchants & farmers Shudras : fourth varna who are workers Jati : the subgroup of the varna, which defines occupations Dalit : oppressed caste Key Points Information found in the Purush Sukta, Rig VEDAS.
So the purush sukta, shows the division of society into practical sub –groups. To keep society Br ahmins functioning all groups had their roles and had to keep to them in order to keep society running smoothly too. Vaishyas
Brahmins- teach, preach, samskrar ceremonies, prayers Kshat riyas
Kshatriyas – rulers, kings, defenders and protectors
Vaishyas – merchants and farmers. Turn inputs into Dalits outputs (processers)
Shudras – upholders of the rest of body – society. Cleaning, washing, serving.
All the above varnas were equal originally, though may have kept Shudra s some distance to keep purity (i.e. Brahmins need to stay clean Changing Attitudes: for ceremonies etc, so would 1) Hereditary nature. Usually the father would teach the son, the varna the father stay away from Shudras. belonged to. i.e. Brahmin dad teaches how to be a Brahmin to the child. Hence usually Brahmins produced more Brahmins, shudras produced more shudras All four castes were needed etc. Today however people take this fact for granted and no longer even teach equally, as without any of the the child how to be a Brahmin, but because for generations that family has been above, society would break classed as Brahmin, the child will also then be classed a Brahmin too. Wrong but down and collapse. People were it’s what’s happened. assigned to what they were 2) Hierarchy – this is the nature that all the varnas are not equal any more. The good at not, what family they Brahmins are better than the shudras etc.. originally all were equal, but with were born into. western influence this has changed, and inequality is commonly seen in India. The Arya Samaj & MK Gandhi have tried to abolish this misconception in India recently, renaming dalits as Harijans – children of God, reunite them in society. Practise questions answered
Explain why Hindu attitudes to caste are changing – 8 marks
Traditional occupational divisions do not relate easily to the demands of modern industry (i.e. jobs today don’t fit into ancient caste system model)
It is difficult to observe in urban environment
Discrimination by caste is forbidden by Indian law
Many hindu reformers have spoken out against various aspects of the caste system
Some important Hindu sects reject the idea of caste divisions
Many hindus born and/or living abroad see caste as an irrelevance
What is jati? – 2marks
Subgroup of the varnas (which defines occupations)
What are shudras? 2 marks
Fourth varna who are workers
Explain why Brahmins are important for many hindus – 8 marks
As priests they conduct important rituals
They are holders of important scriptural learning and tradition
They are exemplary in their purity and ethical behaviour
They have an important role as teachers
What is a kshatriya?- 2marks
The second varna of rulers and warriors
Explain why the idea of varnas is important to many Hindus- 8 marks
The varna system was expounded in the Rig Vedas
The division of society into functional groups has practical benefits (efficiency)
Varnas allow people to measure their progress towards moksha
It allows for optimum social interaction in terms of purity and pollution
It makes our varna ashram dharma clearer
Many hindus see the varna system as more natural and equitable that the caste system which is fraught with confusion and privilege
Being Born a Brahmin doesn’t make you special – 4 marks
+ve = its one’s actions which deserve respect not your birth status & all human are equal to God -ve = Brahmins have earned special place in society by previous actions, & sanctioned by vedas/traditions