What is the caste system?

A caste system is a class structure that is determined by birth. Loosely, it means that in some societies, if your parents are poor, you're going to be poor, too. Same goes for being rich, if you're a glass-half-full person. read more

The caste system in India is the paradigmatic ethnographic example of caste. It has origins in ancient India, and was transformed by various ruling elites in medieval, early-modern, and modern India, especially the Mughal Empire and the British Raj. read more

Image copyright AFP Image caption India's caste system is among the world's oldest forms of social stratification surviving to this day Traditionally, the system bestowed many privileges on the upper castes while sanctioning repression of the lower castes by privileged groups. read more

caste system A caste system is a class structure that is determined by birth. Loosely, it means that in some societies, if your parents are poor, you’re going to be poor, too. read more