The Caste System

The caste system (Varna and Jati) is perhaps the most complex social structure in the world — and despite its official abolition in 1950, it remains deeply rooted in Indian society.

The four traditional Varnas (classes): Brahmins (priests and scholars), Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), Vaishyas (merchants and farmers), Shudras (servants and artisans). Below these four were the Dalits (formerly called "Untouchables") — people assigned the lowest jobs. Within these Varnas, there are thousands of Jatis (sub-castes) that determine daily life: marriage partners, profession, neighborhood, even food.

Officially, discrimination based on caste is prohibited, and the Indian constitution guarantees Dalits reserved quotas in education and public service (reservation system). In practice, caste remains a determining factor — especially in rural areas, in marriages (over 90% of marriages are within one's own caste), and in politics. Caste-based violence against Dalits unfortunately still occurs.

As a tourist, you will hardly experience the caste system directly — but you will see its effects: in the hierarchy of the working world, in surnames (which often reveal the caste), and in the way different social groups interact with each other.