Caste System

In a reading due tomorrow I learned about the Caste System of Hinduism. The caste system looks like this;
Brahmin: preists, teachers, highly educated scholars.
Kshatriyas: Warriors and royalty.
Vaishyas: Traders.
Shudras: Farmers, service providers, artists and laborers.
Untouchables: Not even in the caste system, considered "untouchable" and a disgrace.


To me, it is pretty obvious that a royal leader didn't make this up like usual. It was probably developed my a priest or scholar because they are the ones that are on top of the caste system. This is an example of how people can change history to their benefit using religion as the base. Religion can also be easily adapted to make it look good later on. 


If you were born into a certain caste you had to die in that exact caste so there weren't any cross-caste marriages. This was probably a tactic too keep the working people from gaining too much power and keeping the scholars and priest in charge. This kind of thing has been going on all around the world for pretty much ever. Like even in the early 1900's in America there was a very defined line between the elite, the working class and the lower class. It wasn't illegal for the different socioeconomic groups to mix but it was highly frowned upon and you wouldn't be thought of the same way. This does not have to do with religion like the caste system does but it is still a way for the upper class to remain in charge and keep things in order the way they want it to be.  


The Caste system was also something that motivated people to be and do good in the world. They were told and believed that if you are good you will reincarnate into a higher caste. So this is also a way for whoever is a the top of the caste system to keep the people in control. It prevents rebellion because if there was nothing to believe in and to strive to be, there would be no reason for the citizens not to rebel and make their life better. 


The structure of the caste system is fairly simple. And it has changed over time to become a more legal thing instead of a religious thing (even though it still related and was based off of religion). The reading talks about many little changes here and there over the course of 2000 years makes the world of difference. But overall, even though India was making a lot of advancements, the caste system still remained up until the 20th century. No one questioned the caste system because it had been in existence for so long and was pretty much second nature. The caste system is a good example of evolution. Religion can evolve just like the caste system did.