Caste System under Hindu Kingdoms

During the early medieval period the relations between all the castes were very cordial and marriages could also take place between them. The caste of an issue was determined according to that of his or her father. India presents a progressive society as compared with the later period of the Medieval Age.

Brahmans were respected the most. They specialised in learning and knowledge. They were also the advisers or the ministers of the king. They were engaged mainly in study, teaching, performing sacrifices and charitable functions. The spread of Buddhism reduced their power. Brahmans were now engaged in business, trade, and also worked as an artist. They enjoyed many facilities denied to other castes for instance they could not be awarded capital punishment.

During the time of the Rigveda (1500 - 1200 BCE), there were two varnas: arya varna and dasa varna. The distinction originally arose from tribal divisions. The Vedic tribes regarded themselves as arya (the noble ones) and the rival tribes were called dasa, dasyu and pani. The dasas were frequent allies of the Aryan tribes, and they were probably assimilated into the Aryan society, giving rise to a class distinction.Many dasas were, however, in a servile position, giving rise to the eventual meaning of dasa as servant or slave.

The Rigvedic society was not distinguished by occupations. Many husbandmen and artisans practised a number of crafts. The chariot-maker (rathakara) and metal worker (karmara) enjoyed positions of importance and no stigma was attached to them. Similar observations hold for carpenters, tanners, weavers and others.

Towards the end of the Atharvaveda period, new class distinctions emerged. The erstwhile dasas are renamed Shudras, probably to distinguish them from the new meaning of dasa as slave. The aryas are renamed vis or Vaishya (meaning the members of the tribe) and the new elite classes of Brahmins (priests) and Kshatriyas (warriors) are designated as new varnas. The Shudras were not only the erstwhile dasas but also included the aboriginal tribes that were assimilated into the Aryan society as it expanded into Gangetic settlements. There is no evidence of restrictions regarding food and marriage during the Vedic period.

Types of Religion in India

 Hinduism is a religion that does not have a single founder, a specific theological system, a single system of morality, or a central religious organization. The definition of Hinduism entails that it is a term which denotes the religions of the majority of people in India. Hinduism is world’s third largest religion after Christianity and Islam. Hinduism is the dominant religion in India, where Hindus form about 84 per cent of the total population. As per the scholars, the actual term ‘Hindu’ first occurred as a Persian geographical term for the people who lived beyond the Indus River. Hinduism is the amalgamation of thousands of different religious groups that have evolved in India since 1500 BC.

Evolution on Hinduism Religion

Hinduism is often regarded as the oldest religion in the world, with roots tracing back to prehistoric times, over 5,000 years ago.Hinduism spread through parts of Southeastern Asia, China, and Afghanistan. Hindus worship a single divine entity (paramatma, lit."first-soul") with different forms.An early 19th century manuscript of the Rigveda written in Devanagari Hinduism's origins include the cultural elements of the Indus Valley Civilisation along with other Indian civilisations. The oldest surviving text of Hinduism is the Rigveda, produced during the Vedic period and dating to 1700–1100 BCE During the Epic and Puranic periods, the earliest versions of the epic poems, in their current form including Ramayana and Mahabharata were written roughly from 500 to 100 BCE,although these were orally transmitted through families for centuries prior to this period.

More topics related to Hinduism Religion Chitpavan Brahmins, Iyer Brahmin, Brahmin Castes in India, Vaishya

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chasa Caste

 

Chasa Caste

Chasa caste is the chief cultivating caste inhabiting the state of Orissa. This caste is also known as Alia in Sonepur. In the past, Chasas were mostly enumerated in the regions of Sambalpur and other adjoining states, but majority of them moved to Bengal in the year 1905. It is said that Chasa caste has a loose organisation making it possible for outsiders to be admitted into the caste. This fact is proved by the names of the sub-divisions of this caste. Like for instance, three of the sub-divisions namely Kolta, Khandait and Ud are actually the names of different castes. The word Chasa in general means 'a cultivator.'

The chief cultivating caste of Orissa, probably for the most part of non- Aryan descent. Chasas are divided into the following sub-castes :-Orhchasa or Mundi-Chasa, Benatiya, Chukuliya, and Sukuliya. The last-named group is a small one found along the sea-coast and mainly engaged in the manufacture of salt. The sections are shown in Appendix I. A man may not marry a woman belonging to his own section, or one who falls within the standard formula for reckoning prohibited degrees ca1¬ Calculated to three generations in the descending line. He may marry two sisters, but may not take to wife an elder sister after being already married to her younger sister. The Chasa caste is an exceedingly numerous one, and is probably made up in great measure of non-Aryan elements. In Orissa the caste system is said to be more loosely organised than in Bengal, and this makes it possible on the one hand for outsiders to be admitted into the CMsa caste, and on the other hand for wealthy OMsas, who give up ploughing with their own hands and assume the respectable title of Mahanti, to raise themselves to membership in the lower classes of Kayasths.

In Chasa community, girls get married before reaching the stage of adolescence. If no suitable match is found then she may be married to a flower or an arrow and when a suitable husband is found she is united with him in the form of widow-marriage. Widow re-marriage and divorce are permitted in Casa community. They bury the dead if unmarried, and burn the dead if married. Chasa caste worships various Hindu deities. Occasionally they also sacrifice animals. Brahmin priests are employed for performing religious ceremonies. They have an enriching culture.

More informative and interesting related different caste are Kumbhakar Caste, Agharia Caste, Mehtar Caste, Chhipa Caste

Beldar Caste

 

Beldar Caste

The Beldar caste, historically a nomadic community from Northern India, is known for their occupation as navvies and their involvement in construction work. They are at present, a scheduled caste in northern part of India and are still engaged in their traditional occupation of navvies.

The Beldar caste traces its roots back to Northern India, particularly in the provinces of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. They are linguistically associated with the Hindi dialect, and their cultural heritage is deeply intertwined with the regions they inhabit. The Beldar community shares ancestral ties with the Odh and Kewat communities, who refer to themselves as Odhs, further enhancing their historical lineage.

The term "Beldar" itself is derived from the combination of "bel," signifying a digging instrument, and "dar," which refers to the individual who handles it. Originally associated with agricultural activities involving soil digging and transportation, the Beldar community has also been recognized for their role in brick-making and clearing agricultural land. Although primarily concentrated in Northern India, a smaller population can also be found in regions such as West Bengal, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

The Beldar of Uttar Pradesh are still mainly involved in their tradition of navvies. They are employed by the state in the constructions of roads. Generally, whole families participate in the construction industry. Many Beldar are nomadic, shifting from place to place, looking for work at construction sites. A small number of Beldar are also involved in the selling of fruits and vegetables. The Beldar are a Hindu community, and are found throughout the state, speaking a number of dialects of Hindi.

More interesting and informative on Barai Caste, Nayar Caste, Bari Caste, Baniya Community

National Commission for Scheduled Castes

             National Commission for Scheduled Castes

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has been constituted under Article 338 of the Constitution of Indiaas amended by the Constitution (Eighty-Ninth Amendment) Act, in the year 2003. The Commission shall consist of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and three other Members.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes is an Indian constitutional body under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India established with a view to provide safeguards against the exploitation of Scheduled Castes and Anglo Indian communities to promote and protect their social, educational, economic and cultural interests, special provisions were made in the Constitution.Article 338 of the Indian constitution deals with National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Article 338 A deals with National Commission for Scheduled tribes.

The first Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was set up in August 1978 with Bhola Paswan Shastri as chairman and other four members. Members of the commission includes a chairman, a vice chairman and four other members.It was set up as a national level advisory body to advise the government on broad policy issues and levels of development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The president of India appoints the chairman of commission. The fifth schedule of Indian constitution deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Service condition and tenure is determined by president of India. Article 341 deals with notification of Scheduled Castes and Article 342 deals with notification of Scheduled Tribes.