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7/22/2019 History Caste System
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HISTORY SEMINAR ON CASTE
SYSTEM IN INDIABY ALAKA PANIGRAHI OF CLASS VIII-A
ROLL NUMBER: 02SOCIAL STUDIES
CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 1
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REVIEW OF TIMELINE OF EVENTS
CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 2
SATYASHODHAK SAMAJ – A.D.1848 RAHNUMAI MAZDAYASAN SABHA –
A.D.1857 PRARTHANA SAMAJ – A.D.1867
RAMAKRISHNA MISSION – A.D.1897 SRI NARAYAN DHARMA PARIPALANA
YOGAM –
A.D.1903 SGPC GETS RIGHTS TO MANAGE THE
GURUDWARAS – A.D.1925 HARIJAN MAGAZINE BY GANDHIJI –
A.D.1933
BRAHMO MANDIR – A.D.1887
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INTRODUCTION
After attacking the negative social
customs and practices, the reformers
targeted the rigid division of castes
and discriminatory practices.
There were major social reformmovements during the British period
that protested against the social
inequality and discrimination which
existed in our society.
According to reformers, reforms incaste system would lead to the
upliftment of society and
communities. This would bring unity
among people and thus the spirit of
nationalism could be betterunderstood.
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ORIGIN OF CASTE SYSTEM
The following are the theories for the origin of Caste system:
Political Theory
Racial Theory
Occupational Theory
Traditional Theory
Religious Theory
Evolutionary Theory
The exact origin of caste system cannot be traced. The system is said tohave 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.
In India, a caste system organizes division of labour and money in human
society. It is a system of social stratification.CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 4
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CLASSES OF CASTE
A caste in the early Vedic periodwas a division of the societybased on occupation as follows:
BR HMINS – Priests
KSH TRIY S – Warriors V ISHY S – Traders andFarmers
SHUDR S – Labourers
CH ND L S – Anti shudras
or untouchables Caste systems became rigid and
it became something permanenta person was born into.
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THE PRACTICE OFUNTOUCHABILITY
Worst aspect of the caste system.
They did dirty works and the nature
of the work involved dirt and germs.
Were referred as dirty and polluting
hence untouched. The works included cleaning toilets,
washing clothes, burying or
cremating the dead, sweeping the
streets and skinning dead animals.
They were forbidden entry into
Upper caste houses, temples,
hospitals and other public places.
Millions of people across India
therefore led the most wretched lives
just because of an accident of birth.CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 6
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HOW WAS THE CASTE SYSTEMENFORCED?
The kings were empowered to punish those who violated the
caste system.
The priests quoted from law books written by sages like Manu
to assert their authority. They used superstition to scare the ignorant masses into
submission.
As early as the 6 th century BC , thinkers like Mahavira and
Buddha raised their voice against the injustices of the system.
From the 8 th century onwards the Bhakti saints taught that all
humans were equal, and that there was no religious sanction for
the caste system. CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 7
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MERITS OF THE CASTESYSTEM
1 Harmonious Division of Society: Everyone was free to attain the highest
social dignity. The classification was based on some scientific principles
namely heredity and economy of labour.
2 Caste Systems as a Constitution of Hindu Society: The caste system has
rendered most important service in the past and still continues to sustainorder and solidarity.
3 A Source for the Evolution of Higher Race: The constitution of caste
comprises certain sanctions and prohibition about marriage.
4 A Source of Stability and Contentment: Caste system has provided adefinite professional career to each individual.
5. Caste promotes the spirit of cooperation and fellow-feeling at least
within its range. It helps the poor, the needy and strengthens group
sentiment. CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 8
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DEMERITS OF THE CASTESYSTEM
1. Social Disorganisation
2. Political Disunity
3. Practice of Untouchability
4. Despotism of Upper Caste
5. Religious Conversions6. Lower Status of Women
7. Hindrance in National Unity
8. Denies Mobility of Labour
9. Retards Solidarity10. Obstacle to Social Progress
11. Opposes democracy
12. Stands in the way of modernization
13. Creates the feeling of casteism
14. Check on economic and intellectual advancement and social reformsCHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 9
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WESTERN INDI ND M H R SHTR
LETS BEGIN OUR JOURNEY TO
CASTES FROM DIFFERENT PARTS
OF INDIA CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 10
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JOTIBA PHULE {1827-1890}
The Satyashodhak Samaj was
established in 1848 by him.
He earned the title of „ Mahatma‟.
Welcomed everyone into the Samaj
without any distinction of casteand religion.
Opposed the Brahmins claim of
superiority.
He said for god, all humans wereequal.
Performing marriage ceremonies
without Brahmin priests.
Ideas are compiled in Satya Shodh.CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 11
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GOPAL HARI DESHMUKH
Gopal Hari Deshmukh was
another prominent social
reformer in Maharashtra.
He attacked the priestlyclasses and the caste
system.
He was called Lokahitwadi
for his efforts towards
social reforms.
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RANADE AND BHANDARKAR
Prarthana Samaj, a movement for
religious and social reform in
Maharashtra, was based on earlier
reform movements and traditions.
It was formed in 1894 by RamBalkrishna Jaykar and others in
Mumbai.
Mahadev Govind Ranade founded
the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha and
the Prarthana Samaj along with
Ramakrishna Bhandarkar.
They believed in the emancipation
of women and the oppressed classes
and ending caste system. CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 13
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SOUTH INDI ND NDHR
LETS BEGIN OUR JOURNEY TOCASTES FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OFINDIA
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VEERASALINGAM {1848- 1919}
Kandukuri Veerasalingam fought
vigorously against social evils and
heralded a social revolution in Andhra
Pradesh.
Encouraged inter caste marriages.
Avid leader and a great writer. He was
the author of the first Telugu novel,
Rajashekhara Charitra.
Constructed the first Brahmo Mandir in
AP in 1887 and the Hithakarini School
in 1908. Started a home for widows and a
magazine in Telugu called Viveka
Vardhini.
Started a weekly called Satyavadhini
and started a school for girls inDowlaiswaram.
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PERIYAR RAMASWAMI{1879-1973}
A staunch atheist in Tamil Nadu,
Periyar Ramaswami devoted his life
fighting the caste system and the
dominance of the Brahmins.
He is commonly called E V Ramasami.
Founded an organization called
Dravida Kazhgam for the benefits of
the Dalits.
This organization fought for the
reservation of government jobs for theDalits and downtrodden.
As a result of this agitation, the first
amendment in the Indian constitution
was made to safeguard the rights of
discriminated Indians.CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 16
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CONTINUATION…..
Believed that all men and women
should be given equal opportunities to
develop.
Was against the superiority of the
Brahmins, who according to him, were
Aryans descended from the North,
oppressing the local Dravidians.
Started the Self-respect Movement to
safeguard the rights of the Dravidian
people.
Was a prominent leader of the Justice
Party .
Believed that equality would become a
reality only when the caste system was
eradicated.CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 17
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SRI NARAYANA GURU{1854-1939}
Founded the Sri Narayana Dharma
Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) in 1903 in
Kerala.
He gave the call “one religion, one caste
and one God for Mankind”.
Fought for the emancipation of the
oppressed in society, especially for the
Ezhavas.
Laid the foundation of many temples
without the images of gods and
goddesses. Established the Aruvipuram temple
where people of all castes were allowed
entry.
Established educational institutions for
the progress of Dalits. CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 18
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TEACHINGS OF NARAYANAGURU
Oru jaathi oru matham orudaivam manushyanu – Allhumans have just one caste,one religion and one god.
Any religion will suffice, if itmakes a person a betterhuman.
Knowledge is power, so gain
freedom through education.Unity is strength, so unite
and fight for your rights.
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E STERN INDI
LETS BEGIN OUR JOURNEY TOCASTES FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OFINDIA
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SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
Disciple of Ramakrishna
Paramhansa, a popular religious
teacher in 19 th century Bengal.
Founded the Ramakrishna
Mission in 1897 to propagate theteachings of his guru.
He strongly condemned the caste
system and urged his countrymen
to work for the upliftment of the poor.
He instilled in their minds a sense
of pride and patriotism by
reminding them of their country‟s
rich and ancient culture. CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 21
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RAJA RAM MOHAN ROY
He founded the BrahmoSabha in 1828.
The Brahmo Samaj reflectedthe ideologies of the Bengal
Renaissance. The maindoctrine was that they wereagainst the caste system.
In all fields of social reform,including abolition of the
caste and dowry system,emancipation of women, andimproving the educationalsystem.
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BENGAL RENAISSANCE
The Bengal Renaissance refers to a social reformmovement during the 19 th and early 20 th centuries inthe region of Bengal during the British rule (before
partition of Bengal).19 th century Bengal was marked by a unique blend of
religious and social reformers, scholars, literary giants, journalists, patriotic orators and scientists, allmerging to form the image of a renaissance- transition from the „medieval‟ to the „modern‟.
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MAHATMA GANDHI {1869- 1948}
His greatest achievement in the
field of social reform was the
campaign against the inhuman
institution of untouchability,
which had degraded millions ofIndians.
He coined the term Harijan which
meant the children of god. and
started a magazine called Harijan
in 1933. He declared that this was no less
important than the political
struggle for freedom.
Untouchabiltity had no sanction in
the Hindu scriptures. CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 24
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CONTINUATION…….
He knew that there could be no true
freedom for India as long as millions
of Indians suffered from the scourge
of untouchability.
He led by an example. In his ashram, people of all castes were together and
he personally washed the toilets of
his ashram to show people that such
tasks did not make anyone dirty. He
ate food and drank water from thehomes of Harijans something
orthodox Hindus would never have
considered.
Harijan Sevak Sangh, also known as
the Anti Untouchability League wasestablished b him.
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B.R.AMBEDKAR {1891-1956}
The architect of the Indian Constitution,
devoted his entire life to fight against
caste oppression.
Organized the All India Scheduled
Castes Federation for this purpose. His
first published work was a paper onCastes in India: their mechanism, genesis
and development.
Insisted on the necessity of separate
electorates for the oppressed classes. But
Mahatma Gandhi was against this. An agreement called the Poona Pact was
reached through which the idea of
separate electorates for the oppressed
classes were abandoned, but the seats
reserved for them in the legislatures were
increased. CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 26
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CONTINUATION…….
Studied Law and Economics at the London
School of Economics. Started a weekly
called Mooknayak ( Leader of the Silent) in
Mumbai.
He started an organization called
Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha. As a member of the Mumbai Legislative
Council in 1926, he led non violent protest
to assert the right of the untouchables to
enter temples and draw water from public
wells and tanks.
Was declined admission to the temple
because he was a Dalit and had to undergo
humiliations.
Urged the Dalits to cast aside religious
taboos that bound them to servitude.
Towards the end of his life, he adoptedBuddhist faith.
CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 27
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ADVERSE EFFECTS OF THECASTE SYSTEM
Social injustices like untouchability and discrimination were
given the sanction of religion. The upper castes oppressed the
lower castes. This created economic and social inequalities
across the country for generations.With several sub castes arising, Indian society became
fragmented. People were identified with caste and they had no
sense of nationalism and rarely united against a threat to the
nation. Caste systems were hindrances to individual progress, they did
not recognize individual talent. This encouraged incompetence
and affected the quality of the Indian society.CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 29
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IMPACT OF REFORMMOVEMENTS
Reformers‟ untiring efforts responsible for awakening the people. Due
to this the British government passed laws abolishing practices like sati
and child marriage.
All were treated equally and this feeling of oneness led to the growth of
nationalism.
After the freedom of India, untouchability became punishable by law.
Affirmative action, i.e., a set of actions taken to remove existing
discrimination and to remedy the effects of past discrimination, was
taken by government. Dalits and tribals were scheduled into this Affirmative action by
including them in the 9 th schedule of the Constitution. They were given
new names of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. The shudras were
called other backward castes(OBCs).CHALLENGING THE CASTE SYSTEM 30
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CONTINUATION………
Reserved quotas for them in governing
bodies, government offices andinstitutions of higher education. This
was done to ensure oppressed peoplecompeting equally with others. Through
this there has been slow improvement oflives of the backward people.
The live example is Mayawati Kumari.Despite being a Dalit woman, she
became the chief minister of UP in 2007
with a thumping majority. Leader of theBahujan Samaj Party(BSP), her rise to
the post of the chief minister of one ofthe most politically powerful states of
India, is a proof of how things havechanged in India.
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CONCLUSION
Challenging age old perceptions of social inequality and justicethrough mass movements became possible through books,newspapers and magazines that helped to circulate new ideasamongst the common people.
The British were careful not to arouse the hostility of theorthodox sections of the society.
So the reforming Indian society became possible only by the government of free India.
The struggle against the evils of the caste system still continuesto move and it is an uphill tasks before the Indians.
Hoping to see the beautifully reformed India ahead!!!!!
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/society/merits-and-demerits-of-indian-caste-system-essay/4096/
http://www.shareyouressays.com/87475/essay-on-merits-and-demerits-of-caste-system
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste_system_in_India http://www.slideshare.net/danigrose/caste-system-ppt
Milestones social studies book by Madhubun Publications.Chapter 09 Challenging the caste system from pages 72 to 75.
Getting Ahead in Social Science with CCE by Orient BlackSwan Publications. Chapter 10 of Challenging the Caste system from pages 70 to 74.
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