SS Hindu Caste System

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What two theories make up the caste system?

Religious and historical theories

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In the religious tradition, how were the castes created?

The original human created castes from body parts

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In the social historical theory who arrived in India?

The Aryans

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Where did the Aryans come from?

North Asia and South Europe

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Why did the Aryans establish the caste system?

In order to secure their status

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How were the castes restricted?

You could not marry someone outside of your caste, and could not eat with anyone outside your caste. Cannot be educated together

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Describe the Brahmans

Most powerful and are priests and political leaders

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Describe the Kshatriya

Under Brahmans and have military careers

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Describe the Vaishya

Beneath the Kshatriyas and are traders and landowners

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Describe the Shudras

Servants, farmhands, and does not own any land

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Who were the Dalit?

The below of the below (untouchables)

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Who fought for the untouchables? What did he call them?

Gandhi fought for the untouchables and called them equals

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Describe how untouchables live today

they have very few rights and are treated harshly and strictly

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How is rural and urban living different today?

Urban areas have fewer restrictions that the rural areas

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What has the government done to end the caste system?

Reserving positions and jobs for the lower classes

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How are the government jobs and students divided?

15% of government and 15% students have to be from lower castes

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Lower castes make up ____% of India's population, but only ____% of the government jobs

50

27

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How were the Aryans and Non-Aryans divided?

Aryans had good jobs and Non-Aryans had either a bad job or none at all

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Which castes had the most restrictions? Why?

The untouchables because they were considered nothing

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What was believed to determine your caste?

The law of Karma

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How could one improve their caste?

Faithfully fulfilling the jobs of their present caste

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What did the caste system give people?

Sense of identity and interdependence