The Caste System in India History and Modern Perspectives
Slide 2
Indias Population India today has a population of over 1.1
billion people India today has a population of over 1.1 billion
people About 80% of Indians are Hindus About 80% of Indians are
Hindus About 13% are Muslims About 13% are Muslims Did you know
that today there are more native English speakers in India than in
the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand combined? Did you know
that today there are more native English speakers in India than in
the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand combined?
Slide 3
Indias Population It is the second most populous country in the
world today. It is the second most populous country in the world
today. It houses about 16% of the worlds population -- on 2% of the
worlds landmass! It houses about 16% of the worlds population -- on
2% of the worlds landmass! Approximately 70% of people live in
villages. Approximately 70% of people live in villages. The other
30% live in 200 cities across the country. The other 30% live in
200 cities across the country.
Slide 4
Indian Languages India is a land of many languages 16 official
ones, including English India is a land of many languages 16
official ones, including English In the north, Indo-European
languages are spoken: In the north, Indo-European languages are
spoken: Hindi , Hindi , , , Guajarati Guajarati Bengali Bengali
Punjabi Punjabi These languages are distantly related to English.
These languages are distantly related to English.
Slide 5
Indian Languages In the south, Dravidian languages are spoken:
In the south, Dravidian languages are spoken: Tamil Tamil Malayam
Malayam Telegu Telegu These languages have little in common with
the languages of the north. These languages have little in common
with the languages of the north.
Slide 6
Indian History The British ruled India from 1858 - 1947 The
British ruled India from 1858 - 1947 The kings and queens of
England were also Emperors and Empresses of India from 1876 1947
The kings and queens of England were also Emperors and Empresses of
India from 1876 1947
Slide 7
Indian History In 1947, India gained independence from Britain,
thanks in part to Gandhi In 1947, India gained independence from
Britain, thanks in part to Gandhi The country was divided
(partitioned) into Pakistan (Muslim majority) and India (Hindu
majority). The country was divided (partitioned) into Pakistan
(Muslim majority) and India (Hindu majority).
Slide 8
Indian History Partition was a very bloody time; Partition was
a very bloody time; Muslims and Hindus fought many battles. Muslims
and Hindus fought many battles. The area of Punjab is still claimed
by both Pakistan and India. The area of Punjab is still claimed by
both Pakistan and India.
Slide 9
Development in India The 1950s and 1960s were a time of
economic development for India. The 1950s and 1960s were a time of
economic development for India. Modernization came to India, but at
a human price. Modernization came to India, but at a human price.
Many people were forced from their village homes. Many people were
forced from their village homes. Health care is not as advanced as
in Western countries Health care is not as advanced as in Western
countries
Slide 10
The Caste System The Hindu population is divided up into four
official castes: The Hindu population is divided up into four
official castes: Brahmin priests and scholars Brahmin priests and
scholars Kshatria rulers and aristocrats Kshatria rulers and
aristocrats Vaisia businessmen and landlords Vaisia businessmen and
landlords Sudra peasants and workers Sudra peasants and workers The
higher the caste, generally the richer the members of the caste.
The higher the caste, generally the richer the members of the
caste. The Sudra have few economic and social rights. The Sudra
have few economic and social rights.
Slide 11
The Caste System A fifth caste is a non-caste, known by several
different names: A fifth caste is a non-caste, known by several
different names: The Untouchables (higher castes were not supposed
to touch them) The Untouchables (higher castes were not supposed to
touch them) Dalits (the oppressed the politically correct term
today) Dalits (the oppressed the politically correct term today)
Scheduled castes (because they are scheduled by the government to
receive fairer treatment). Scheduled castes (because they are
scheduled by the government to receive fairer treatment).
Slide 12
The Fifth Caste The Untouchables did the work that the other
castes considered unclean: The Untouchables did the work that the
other castes considered unclean: Butchers Butchers Latrine cleaners
Latrine cleaners Tannery workers Tannery workers can you think why?
can you think why? Untouchables had almost no rights Untouchables
had almost no rights They were often considered as a pollution and
had to live away from others They were often considered as a
pollution and had to live away from others
Slide 13
The Fifth Caste Discrimination against lower castes was
outlawed in 1947. Discrimination against lower castes was outlawed
in 1947. In reality, discrimination is still common, especially in
traditional rural areas. In reality, discrimination is still
common, especially in traditional rural areas. Many Dalits have
gone into the public service and work for the government. Many
Dalits have gone into the public service and work for the
government.