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The caste system is broken up into five main categories: Brahmins (priests and teachers), Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), Vaishyas (merchants, traders, and farmers), Shudras (laborers), and Dalits ("untouchables," like street sweepers and restroom cleaners).

The most concerning part of the caste system in India is how those in the so-called "lower castes" - Shudras and those outside of all the castes -continue to be treated. Two important groups to know about are the Dalits and the "Other Backward Classes."

● Dalits - The word "" means "oppressed," and since the 1880s has been used to refer to those who throughout history have been referred to as "untouchables," or those belonging to the "lowest caste." They are sometimes viewed as "tainted" by the so-called "upper castes" and are not only treated unjustly but also deprived of equal

rights, including education. Since the ratification of the Constitution of India in 1950, Dalits have been referred to as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes , with the promise of equal opportunity and treatment under the law and affirmative action.

● Other Backward Classes - Other Backward Classes (OBCs) are communities in India that are also marginalized in the same ways as the Dalits, but do not fit into the categorization of Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes. These often include descendants of India's indigenous communities. Hence, their categorization as "Other Backward Classes." The Constitution of India includes an Article (340) that makes it obligatory for the government to promote the welfare of Backward Classes.

In 1978, the Government of India instituted The Mandal Commission to identify Backward Classes and recommend measures to improve their lives and living conditions. The Commission included 11 different criteria for identifying and classifying Backward Classes, which were encompassed in economic, social, and educational categories.

The Indian Constitution guarantees equal rights for all people-including Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes-for things like equal access to places of worship, financial resources, housing, education, and more. However, even though these rights are protected under the Constitution, many individuals in these communities still face inequality and entrenched societal discrimination.
How Do These Caste Classifications Hinder Education?
While the classification of these groups in the Indian Constitution was a significant step forward, it did not necessarily change much for many people in this category. Classifying these marginalized communities as "Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes" or "Other Backward Classes" gives them equality from a legal standpoint, but does little to change the social realities- of not being accepted as equals, poor living conditions, entrenched discrimination, inadequate access to education.

That's why many individuals from these three groups and their communities are still unable to get a proper education, even though it is a right enshrined in the Constitution. Around 37% of individuals who identify as a member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe and 39% of individuals who identify as a member of a Backward Class have no formal education, In a country as large as India with a total population of 1.38 billion.

That's why at , we seek to provide educational opportunities to under-resourced young women and men from these communities that will make life-changing differences, equipping them to pursue professional and skilled employment. The majority of our scholars come from among one of these marginalized groups.

These groups have been discriminated against throughout history, and they often live below the poverty line. Recent constitutional designations are intended to institute affirmative action and change that by creating opportunities for the people in these communities to achieve a better, equal life. One of the ways to do that is by providing equal access to education so individuals can learn, better themselves, and change their situation.

Some of these young women and men have had their lives changed by crime , others'

are constantly struggling to get by , and some are from indigenous populations that are often discriminated against . You can help make a difference by providing technology for our students, other education-related costs, or by putting a deserving young person through college!

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Everything You Need to Know About India's Caste System and How it Hinders Education - Tiyara, Inc.

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You may think that India's caste system is a thing of the past, but it is still present to this day. Unfortunately, it still exists and is well entrenched in society and still marginalizes communities in India, despite the Indian government's efforts through changes to the Indian Constitution and la

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The Caste System and Ancient Indian Society

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For Kids: The idea of the caste system in ancient India began after the Indus Valley Civilization disappeared and a new people arrived, the Aryans. The Aryans were nomads from the north. They brought with them some new ideas. One of those ideas was Hinduism, which is now a world religion. Another was the idea of a caste system. A caste is a life-long social group into which a Hindu is born.

The Vedas are the Sanskrit writings that are the earliest sacred texts of Hinduism. The Vedas suggest the caste system in India. There were four social classes in the ancient Aryan society. These were the Brahmins (priests & scholars); warriors & nobles; artisans & merchants; and on the lowest level, farm workers, laborers, servants

Once the Aryans settled down and began to grow their food instead of being just herdsmen, they started developing a caste system. The caste system started with just four castes. In order of importance and power these castes were priests, warriors, traders and farmers, and finally paid workers. The caste system grew progressively more strict until finally you were born into your caste and could not move or marry out of your caste.

The caste system really wasn't part of Hinduism, at first. The caste system began at about the same time as Hinduism. The caste system remained in place in India for thousands of years, long after Aryan rule was replaced by other leaders. But over the years, the caste system became intertwined with Hindu India. When Buddhism began in India, Buddhists did not recognize castes. That made Buddhism very attractive to the lower ranks in India's society. But in spite of the introduction of Buddhism and other religions, most ancient India people remained Hindus, and thus the caste system continued.

Top Caste: The Brahims: The top caste was made up of scholars, priests, teachers, judges, and landowners. They were know as the Brahmin caste or Brahmins. Many Brahmins lived in temples, removed from society. Others spent a great deal of time in contemplation and meditation. Some were quite social.

The Kshatriya: Kshatriyas were the warriors. Rulers of towns and cities mostly came from the Kshatriya caste. Any decision they made, however, could be overruled by a member of the Brahmin, the caste above them.

The Vaishyas: Vaishyas were skilled farmers, merchants, and craftsmen. Vaishyas could hold office in village government. They might live in very nice houses. Even though they were three down on the social scale, they still had good clothes and ample food. They might not be the top leaders, but they were certainly a respected part of society.

Bottom Caste: The Sudras: The Sudras were the unskilled workers. They might find a job on a farm or a non-skilled job in a home or business like cleaning. They were the bottom caste.

The people without a caste, the Untouchables: There was one other social rank in ancient India. People who were born into this social rank were called Untouchables. These were the people who were considered the lowest in society in Hindu India, so low that they were not part of the caste system. They had no rights. If they had a job at all, other than begging, it was a degrading job that no one else wanted to do. If your parent was an Untouchable, so were you. Untouchables could not move up or marry out of their social rank.

Since 1950, the Indian Constitution has forbidden discrimination.
The Caste System in India (Mr. Dowling)
Religion in ancient India

Free online games and activities about ancient India

Free online stories about ancient India (some animated videos, some text)
For Teachers
Lesson Plans for Teachers - Ancient India and Country of India

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For Kids: The idea of the caste system in ancient India began after the Indus Valley Civilization disappeared and a new people arrived, the Aryans. The Aryans were nomads from the north. They brought with them some new ideas. One of those ideas was Hinduism, which is now a world religion.