Caste Is Not A Hindu Concept

The caste system, as we see it today, was never a part of Sanatana Dharma, it can in no way be called a concept of Hinduism. Instead, what was there in ancient India was the “varna” system.

This is evident by the fact that the term “caste” is derived from the Portuguese word “casta.” The Portuguese rulers were the ones who initiated this change, and the subsequent British empire totally brought the country under the grip of a caste system by forcing its adoption on Hindus during their colonial rule.

The British introduced “caste” in all political, administrative, economic, and education-related matters. That was predominantly in line with their policy of “divide and rule.” The rulers thought that keeping the people of the country segregated based on caste would help them continue their colonial rule and to further loot and destroy India.

• The varna system in ancient Bharat categorized the society into four distinct groups- Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas, and Sudras. The “brahmins” comprised the teaching class including the gurus and priests, while the warriors and rulers were covered under “Kshatriyas.” Similarly, the likes of traders and agriculturalists constituted the “vaisyas.” And, the “sudras” encompassed manual workers and laborers.

The above division of society was driven by the chief objective of appropriately allocating responsibilities to different groups of people. The varna system, in its purest form, enabled the harmonious functioning of the society as a whole.

• The original varna system of Sanatana Dharma had an element of flexibility – people did change varnas. The ascetic segment of Hindus had people join from all varnas. Those who undertake pilgrimages as a group are considered equal and varna structure does not apply. Though the change in varna happened more often as a clan rather than as individuals – maybe it was practical reasons that benefited the entire clan to ensure the long term sustainability of the persons in the new varna. Especially in South India – the varna system is more flexible.What was not flexible was the roles to be performed in a certain varna. A ksatriya varna person could not refuse to participate in war because it was dangerous. Same way a brahmin varna could not refuse to study because studies are mentally taxing / boring, regular fasting is not enjoyable.

In such situations, the individuals only had to substantiate that they possessed the aptitude and ability to undergo this major transition. In this context, rather than birth, “karma” was the decisive factor.

• It’s highly unfortunate that the original varna system of Sanatana dharma gradually got transformed into a rigid system due to interference by individuals with lack of virtues in society. Many saints and leaders have strived to correct it – in different times in history.

• It was only during the rule of the British Empire that caste-based conflict and discrimination began in India. And, that is something that the Sanatana varna system never endorsed. Sadly, there have been no favorable changes in this scenario in India, even after the completion of 76 years of Independence. Primarily, because most don’t understand difference between caste system and varna system.

• The modern-day caste system is known for its rigidity where an individual automatically is assigned a caste soon after their birth. And, this cannot be changed for their lifetime. As against what was seen under “varnas”, the contemporary “castes” aren’t concerned with the “karma” of a person. An individual has no choice of converting to another caste, regardless of their karma, achara, and samskaras.