The Indian Caste System: How Indian Society is Segregated

The Indian Caste System:How Indian Society is Segregated

6th Grade Social Studies

Zachary Radabaugh

• Caste Pyramid• Test• Credits

This pyramid represents the five classes, or castes, of Indian society, as well as the gods. Click on either the “Gods” or any of the classes to learn more. When you are done, click the image within the slide to return to this page. When you have viewed them all, click here to test what you have learned.

Brahmins

Kshatriyas

Vaisyas

Sudras

Harijans

Gods

Gods• Hinduism is the most practiced

religion in India.• Hindus believe that all people are

different, and that certain people benefit society by fulfilling certain roles. This lead to the cast system in India roughly 4,000 years ago.

• Gods do not fit into castes, for they are above mortal humans.

• Hindu gods are all knowing, and all powerful

• Hindus can have a different god for nearly every aspect of life.

Brahmins• Brahmins are the intellectual, as well

as spiritual leaders. Think of them like a combination between college professors and priests.

• As the closest link between our world and the world of the gods, the Brahmin are regarded as the highest class.

• One can not just become Brahmin, one has to be born a Brahmin.

Kshatriyas• In ancient times this caste were the

protectors of society. Warriors, nobles, and kings.

• In the modern era Kshatriyas are police, politicians, and military

• Expected to be both educated and brave in the face of danger

• Regarded as the second highest class in Indian society because they are powerful and generally smart

Vaisyas• The Vaisyas are traditionally

farmers.• Vaisyas cultivate crops, raise

cattle, and bring goods to market.

• Can be merchants as well• Third down the pyramid of

castes, but without them the country would starve.

Sudras• Meant to serve those of the

castes above them• Often forced to perform the

hardest tasks and menial labor

• Tasks include tanning leather, working the fields, and other duties that the upper castes cannot perform

Harijans• Technically not even a caste, the

Harijans, or “Gods Children”, were once called untouchables because they were deemed so low that upper classes could not even come into contact with them.

• This class reserved for those who’s ancestors, at one time or another, violated the caste system, often by intermarrying.

• Oppressed for centuries, often left with no choice but to perform the dirtiest of jobs

• Barred from Hindu temples, they were sometimes forced to form their own religious sects

• Click here to view a video on this caste

Now, let us see what you have learned. Click the image that you think corresponds to the second highest ranking caste.

Sorry, that answer was incorrect• This man is a priest, or

Brahmin, and is a member of India’s most prestigious caste. You be forgiven for thinking that priests ranked below kings and warriors, but that is not the case in Indian society.

• Advance the slide to try again.

Now, let us see what you have learned. Click the image that you think corresponds to the second highest ranking caste.

Correct!

• This individual is clearly a warrior, sent to protect Indians from some threat.

• He is a member of the Kshatriyas, which is the second highest ranking class.

Credits• http://philosophy.lander.edu/oriental/

caste.html• http://www.historyteacher.net/GlobalStudies/R

eadings/reading-castesystem.pdf

• The United Nations. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD3HrIRPVhw

• I made the pyramid based on several established ones

• All photos come from Google image searches related to the various castes