Objectives:

• To understand the definition of the caste system

• To understand the purpose and application of the caste system within the Indian culture

• To understand the roles and responsibilities of each family member

That is correct! The Aryans created the caste system

• The caste system was very much like a social structure in other civilizations

• However, there was one huge difference..

• What was that difference?

The caste system was a social structure that you were born into and it could NOT change

• This system dictated who you could:

• marry

• the type of job you would have

• with whom you could socialize

• Sound like a great system?

Some of the reasons that the Aryans created the caste system:

• the people they had displaced (taken over) outnumbered them

• this helped the Aryans stay & maintain control since they were in the minority

• wanted to purposefully segregate people (enforces control)

• set the rules & expectations for everyone's behavior

There were 5. Here is the order

• Brahmans: priests-only people who could perform religious ceremonies

• Warriors: ran both the government & the army

• Commoners: farmers & merchants

• Unskilled workers/servants: they had few rights & the majority of society was in this group

• Untouchables: what do you think they were responsible for?

The Untouchables were the lowest level of the caste system

• They performed all of the dirty work

• Responsible for skinning animals

• Responsible for handling the dead

• They were forced to live outside the city away from everyone else

• What would the purpose of creating a caste like this?

Like it was mentioned before,

• The caste system was designed to keep people stuck in one caste

• However, Hinduism changed everything

• One of the beliefs within Hinduism, reincarnation, changed everything

• What does reincarnation mean?

That is right! Reincarnation created a lot of hope for people in the caste system

• Your actions in one life was either a reward or punishment for the actions in your previous life

• One of the biggest draws to Hinduism by people in the caste system was the idea of reincarnation

• It gave hope for a better life, but you had to work for it

The caste system does still exist today. It is much more broad and there has been some progressive changes.

• Laws have been put into place to not discriminate due to one's class

• Groups fight for the rights of each caste

• Job quotas must be filled

Family roles/responsibilites

• Overall, men are seen as superior to women

• This is unfortunately still the view today

• Men were the heads of the household, had more property rights and either went to school or became priests

• As always, your status gave you more opportunity (could have a guru-personal, often wise, teacher)

• Sons could inherit property

• Boys could only marry after they finished 12 years of schooling

Women/girls

• Were seen as inferior to men in pretty much all parts of life

• Any eduction for women was done at home-depended on their status

• Most marriages were arranged by your parents. What would determine who they would choose?

• Your status depended on who you were arranged to marry, not love

• Women were expected to cook (cuisine-spices) and traditionally wear a sari

• Weddings were, and still are, a big deal today (3-day event)

Review

• The 5-level caste system of the Indus River Valley was meant to suppress and control people

• Reincarnation & the beliefs of Hinduism gave hope for change

• Men controlled the agenda of the family and your wealth often was a factor in determining your opportunities

• By listening to this presentation, you have agreed to have an arranged marriage but only if it is done by Mr. Mains. Thanks everyone! I will let you know......

Your task:

• Complete the Google Form on Google Classroom (9 multiple choice & 1 write in question). Short answer question will be marked wrong until it is graded.

• There were a lot of people missing their Mt. Everest worksheet. It is in Infinite Campus

• Also, there were a LOT that had no names so they were thrown out.