...philosophy while undergoing various changes through its classical period. Culture in India was most influenced by religion. Although both civilizations shared patriarchal views and were agriculture based societies, the difference in moral perceptions is what created two distinctly diverse societies. India’s Caste system is a complex social system with its foundations rooted in the belief of a people who became dominant in north India with the decline of the aboriginal civilization of the Harrappans. The social and religious attitudes of these people were illustrated through a collection of hymns, religious texts and philosophical treatises once orally transmitted before being composed as what are called Vedas. The earliest of the texts, the Rig Veda portrays the...
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...which collective identities such as those based on language, religion, sect, caste and tribe, assume preeminence.Identity issues are not unique to India, they are a worldwide phenomenon although they prevail in a particularly intense form in today’s India where communities based on language, religion, sect, caste and tribe have strengthened their identities. Conflicts based on such identity issues often lead to violence. A recent example is the increasing conflict generated by sections of society wanting to be counted as tribes, as evident in the agitation by the Gujjar community and its opposition by the Meena community in Rajasthan. Ideally, such issues should be adjudicated by the institutional mechanisms provided for the purpose such as the National commissions for Scheduled castes, Scheduled Tribes and the backward classes and the decisions of these commissions should be final and accepted by all concerned. Gujjar or Gurjars — a farming and trading community — are classified by the government as an "Other Backward Class". They are part of the caste system that does not face as much exclusion or discrimination in society. The Gurjar community feels it has been economically and educationally left behind and it wants to be reclassified as a Scheduled Tribe. They demand scheduled tribe status so that they can qualify for government jobs and state college seats reserved solely for such groups. The Indian government has put in place an affirmative action plan that sets aside job...
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...In the social sciences, social stratification is any given society's categorization of its people into rankings of socioeconomic tiers based on factors like wealth, income, social status, occupation, and power. Stratification is the relative social position of persons in a given social group, category, geographical region or other social unit. In modern Western societies, stratification is often broadly divided into three main divisions of social class: upper class, middle class, and lower class. Each of these classes can be further subdivided into smaller classes (e.g., "upper-middle"). Social inequality is characterized by the existence of unequal opportunities and rewards for different social positions or statuses within a group or society. It contains structured and recurrent patterns of unequal distributions of goods, wealth, opportunities, rewards, and punishments. Racism, for example, is understood to be a phenomenon whereby access to rights and resources is unfairly distributed across racial lines. Conversely, "white privilege" is a concept developed by social scientist Peggy McIntosh to refer to the myriad ways in which white people benefit from racial inequality, in particular. There are two main ways to measure social inequality: inequality of conditions, and inequality of opportunities. Inequality of conditions refers to the unequal distribution of income, wealth and material goods. Housing, for example, is an inequality of conditions with the homeless and those...
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...the country.They consist of three main categories-the scheduled castes,the scheduled tribes and the other backward classes.The scheduled castes and scheduled tribes are comparatively better defined and they form roughly 22% of the total population according to the 1971 census.The other backward classes is a residual category.Their position is highly ambigous and it is not possible t give an exact statemen of their numbers. Defintion of other backward classes Though the term backward classes is popularly used by sociologists.It is not defined properly.Still for our purpose of study,we may define it in the following way: 1)Justice K. Subba Rao,former chief justice of india,defined “backward classes” as—“an ascertainable and identifiable group of persons based on caste,religion,race,language,occupation and such others,with definite characteristics of backwardness in various aspects of human existence-social,cultural,economic,political and such others”. 2)We can generally define backward classes as those social groups or classes or castes which are characterise by low leteracy and lack of education,poverty,exploitation of labour,non-representation in services and untouchability. 3)In simple words,the term backward classes can be defined as a social category which consists of all the socially,educationally,economically and politically backward groups,castes and tribes. “OBC” means “other backward castes.” This is a legal term; it was used early in the Mandal Commission...
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...1. What elements of earlier belief systems do you see integrated into Hinduism? What were the external conditions (environmental/societal/political/economic etc.) which gave rise to the origination of Hinduism? What was it about this time period? Location? Population? In some ways Hinduism is the oldest living religion since some elements of it date back thousands of years; Hinduism has no single founder, no single scripture, and no commonly agreed set of teachings despite many key figures and numerous holy books that might indicate otherwise. Hence why Hinduism is often referred to as a “way of life” and why it makes sense that the religion was informed by so many external conditions around its “birth” (BBC Religion Profile, Hinduism) For instance even though the birth of the term “Hindu” could be traced back to the Sankrit word, Sindhu, the river complex of the northwest, used by the Aryans in the second millennium B.C. It likely dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries when it was used by people to differentiate themselves from followers of other traditions, especially Muslims in Kashmir and Bengal at the time (BBC Religion Profile, Hinduism) (Hinduism, www.web.csulb.edu). Hinduism evolved or rose as a religion by the way it was used to group people by certain cultural practices, belief systems and rituals that enshrined certain sacred things or defined rites of passage. But it was also used to group people by geography and politics. Most scholars can...
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...SOC 308 Week 5 Final Paper Indias Caste System https://hwguiders.com/downloads/soc-308-week-5-final-paper-indias-caste-system SOC 308 Week 5 Final Paper Indias Caste System The Unique Caste System of India: Within India’s society there is a lot of controversy surrounding their Caste system. India’s daily events consist of Dalits that are assaulted, raped, butchered, abused, shamelessly mutilated and shot without any regard for the consequences of the people committing these violent acts. There are numerous deaths concerning women who are pregnant due to bribe non-payments at hospitals ran by the government, falling in love with a woman from a caste more superior from their own and even rumors of people being boiled to death for nothing more than an argument with their boss. India’s society has been one of democracy for many years, but the structure socially practices the caste system in terms of having no regard for law abolishment. Attempts have been considered useless after several efforts to abolish the caste segregation and adaptation through national and international means failed. The profoundly instilled caste system is a problem of social proportions that demand a vast commitment internationally and domestically. These commitments will help us understand why these practices are still in place and what specific measures will be needed for the removal of this system. Caste association in India has caused more than a million people within society to be plagued...
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...The Caste System of India December 1, 2012 The caste system in India is one of the longest lasting hierarchical systems in the world. It was first mentioned in Manusmriti or Laws of Manu, the ancient book of the Hindu code that was written around 1500 BC. Even though this book was written over three thousand years ago, it still testifies to the existence of four classes: Brahmins, Kshatriya, Vaisyas, and Shudras. Brahmins are listed as priests, Kshatriya as the warriors, Vaisyas as the merchants, and Shudras as the artisans. First three classes are called Dvija or “twice born,” and they are considered sacred. Shudras are simply servants, as the verse 1.91 in Manusmriti describes: “One occupation only the lord prescribed to the Sudra, to serve meekly even these (other) three castes” (p. 9). The classes are ranked very distinctly: “But for the sake of the prosperity of the worlds he (the Lord) caused the Brahmana, the Kshatriya, the Vaisya, and the Sudra to proceed from his mouth, his arms, his thighs, and his feet.” (v. 1.31, p. 4). Therefore, it is very clear that the Brahmins were the highest regarded caste, while the Shudras were equivalent to ‘feet’. However, there is one more group that the Indian caste system does not recognize as a caste – Dalits. Dalits are called many different names: Panchamas ("fifth varna"), and Asprushya ("untouchables"). The distinction between them and the four castes is very well defined:...
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...SOC 308 Week 5 Final Paper Indias Caste System https://hwguiders.com/downloads/soc-308-week-5-final-paper-indias-caste-system SOC 308 Week 5 Final Paper Indias Caste System The Unique Caste System of India: Within India’s society there is a lot of controversy surrounding their Caste system. India’s daily events consist of Dalits that are assaulted, raped, butchered, abused, shamelessly mutilated and shot without any regard for the consequences of the people committing these violent acts. There are numerous deaths concerning women who are pregnant due to bribe non-payments at hospitals ran by the government, falling in love with a woman from a caste more superior from their own and even rumors of people being boiled to death for nothing more than an argument with their boss. India’s society has been one of democracy for many years, but the structure socially practices the caste system in terms of having no regard for law abolishment. Attempts have been considered useless after several efforts to abolish the caste segregation and adaptation through national and international means failed. The profoundly instilled caste system is a problem of social proportions that demand a vast commitment internationally and domestically. These commitments will help us understand why these practices are still in place and what specific measures will be needed for the removal of this system. Caste association in India has caused more than a million people within society to be plagued...
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...devotees to their polytheistic system of beliefs. This ancient religion has spread across the Indian Sub-Continent from generation to generation. Hinduism had a huge impact toward the development of the caste system in India. The caste system was a determination, system of various social rankings or class. The caste system consists of five different levels, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and the Untouchables. Brahmins are priests; they have much importance for they are closest to god. Kshatriyas are warriors or kings; they are second in ranking for they protect the innocent...
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...____________________ In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the course Dalit Theology, MACS 6 ____________________ By Lijoy Lovely Babu AP01/MA30/12 Submitted on 16 – 04 – 2013 1. INTRODUCTION AND DEFINITION The Dalits (also known as Untouchables, Harijans, orScheduled Castes) have historically been poor, deprived of basic human rights, and treated as social inferiors in India. Dalits are a group of people, who constitute the lowest caste of the Indian Society. According to James Massey (author of the book Dalits in India) , “The term Dalit is one of the most ancient terms which has not only survived till date but also shared by a few of world’s oldest languages like Sanskrit and Hebrew”. The term "Dalit" draws its root from the Sanskrit word “Dall” which means to crack, open or split. According to Elza Tamez, a liberation theologian, this term is used in two contexts – 1 – Phisically weak or lowly, 2 – Insignificant position in the Society. In modern times it’s a Marathi word which means "suppressed", "crushed", or "broken to pieces". It was first used by Jyotirao Phule in the nineteenth century, in the context of the oppression faced by these "untouchable" castes of the twice-born Hindus. Dalits are the group of people in the society, who are economically extremely poor, secluded and rejected by people, exploited, denied justice, lacking proper means of livelihood, often forced to sell themselves into different forms of Slavery. They are often...
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...Reservation Policy and Indian Constitution in India DR.SUNIL KUMAR JANGIR (Assistant Professor) POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT "It is against the fundamental principles of humanity, it is against the dictates of reason that a man should, by reason of birth, be denied or given extra privileges" -Mahatma Gandhi Abstract: However, the theme of reservations has figure importantly in open debates constantly since the recommendations of the Mandal Commission Report were sought to be implemented in 1991 nearby has been extremely tiny discussion by the beneficiaries of reservations. This paper looks at some of the more important chronological, constitutional and lawful moments in the development of a reservations procedure in India I. Introduction The spirit of equality pervades the provisions of the Constitution of India, as the main aim of the founders of the Constitution was to create an egalitarian society wherein so- cial, economic and political justice prevailed and equality of status and opportunity are made available to all. However, owing to historical and traditional reasons, certain classes of Indian citizens are under severe social and economic disabili- ties [so] that they cannot effectively enjoy either equality of status or of opportunity. Therefore the Constitution accords to these weaker sections of society protective discrimination in various articles, including Article 15(4). This clause empowers the state, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Articles...
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...without highlighting his efforts to abolish untouchability from the Hindu society. Living in a city, I do not come across this abhorring practice on a day to day basis. At the same time I am aware of its prevalence in the interiors of India even today. I am curious to know whether the efforts of Gandhi have actually affected the practice of untouchability and reduced it to an extent in modern India or it is a byproduct of globalization. On this discourse, I would refer to the differences in the approach of the other pioneer of Dalit rights and the drafter of our constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. It is important to study and highlight the different approaches followed by Gandhi and Ambedkar and their motives behind them on the issue of caste system in India. After reading D.R. Nagraj’s essay – ‘Self- purification vs. Self- respect: On the Roots of the Dalit Movement’, I would proceed to comment on the relevance of these ideas in contemporary India. The concept of inequality itself is a modern philosophy. There are many examples in Hindu scriptures which believe in inequality as well as various humanitarian values including universalism, brotherhood, non violence etc. The gist of the main argument...
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...Their Indian class set up is historically one of the main specifications in which people of india are socially separated through class, religious beliefs, location, group, sex, and spoken language. Even Though this or other forms of distinction appear in all the human communities, it might be an issue once one or more of these specifications cover one another and turn the only foundation of organized ranking and unequal entree towards valuable sources such as riches, earnings, power and ranking. The Indian class set up is thought of as a sealed setup of social stratification, which means that a individual's social state is required that class these people were born into. There are boundaries at discussion as well as conduct with individuals out of some other social standing. This document is going to be going through the various aspects of the Indian class setup as well as results in India today. The class set up is the group of individuals towards a few hierarchically rated classes named varnas. They're categorized in accordance to career and figure out use of riches, power, and opportunity. Their Brahmans, normally priests as well as students, are in the best. Following tend to be the Kshatriyas, or governmental rulers as well as military. They're accompanied by the Vaishyas, or sellers, as well as the fourth was the Shudras, who are normally employees, peasants, craftsman, as well as servants. At the very bottom part is the regarded as the untouchables. These people complete...
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...the primary driver behind culture, started to shape our world in ways unforeseen. It started to shape our boundaries, our languages, our stereotypes, our way of living, what jobs we got and what schools we went to and even what clothes to wear. The line between culture and religion has been run over so many times it’s barely there. On the topic of development and integration, the Hindu religion’s caste system comes to mind. It is the Hindu conception of the social order is that people are different, and different people will fit well into different aspects of society. Social order or social class according to Varna forms the framework of moral duties according to personal characteristics of individuals (not necessarily birth). In other words the religion believes that people permanently fit into social roles in their lifetime and the only way to transfer to another social role is through reincarnation. If someone is poor, the religion sees fit for that person to be poor for it is what their reincarnation cycle tells. The rich remain rich while the poor stay poor. This caste system held India back from competing in academic,...
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...C.E. Thesis: Religion had played a major role in the shaping and development of the Indian civilizations; South and Southeast Asia from around 1500 B.C.E. – 600 C.E. I. Foundations of Indian Civilization, 1500 B.C.E.- 300 C.E. a. India is a large, isolated piece of land, which is why it is called a subcontinent A. The Indian Subcontinent a. This extensive piece of land is split up into three geographical sections: mountainous, great basins and rocky plateau b. monsoons are caused by varying temperatures in the lands around the Indian Ocean c. oceans were used as a form of transportation and helped in trade...
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