Legacy of Oppression: Tracing the Dark History of Caste Discrimination

 

Is caste a superstition?

Is caste a mental colonization?

Are we humans truly superior to animals? We have control over resources, places, and even animals. If this is true, then being a Brahmin should mean having control over their inferiors too. So, why is it considered wrong?

Woah, woah... got hurt? Before we assign superiority among ourselves, let's first understand ourselves and the labels we have given ourselves.

 History

Vedic period and how they started this mess?

Let's go back to the Vedic period and see how this mess started.

Even famous writer Valmiki had a humble past, raised by a hunter and was once a thief.

In Indian history and literature, we give the Vedas a pedestal, seeing them as noble scriptures. We know they are divided into 4 Vedas:

The varnas have been known since a hymn in the Rigveda, which portrays the Brahman priest, the Kshatriya noble, the Vaishya commoner, and the Shudra servant issuing forth at creation from the mouth, arms, thighs, and feet of the primeval person (*purusha*). Males of the first three *varnas* are "twice-born" (*dvija*) after undergoing the ceremony of spiritual rebirth (upanayana). The important thing here is that at this time, people were given their varna based on how well they performed in their gurukulas, where they were taught all skills.

**This shloka is a metaphor and does not indicate a hierarchy.

 Post-Vedic Period: How they spread the wrong notion

A little development started, kind of like when the wheel became the biggest invention, cattle were domesticated, and families started to settle. In this environment, a child's influences came from their family's professions. For example, a child whose father is a businessman would take a keen interest in business as they observed that world up close. This impacted the domination of a single caste in a village, leading to caste panchayats to maintain power, they prohibited inter-caste marriages.

Dharmashastras and Manu Smriti- the sacred controversial books

Some Dharmashastras, written by unknown authors, supported casteism and fueled the caste system even more. The original Dharmashatra is unknown, and all versions are just their own interpretations for their profits. These Dharmashastras are not even consistent with their opinions on caste. In one part, it says Shudras can wear sacred threads, and in another, it says they can't. In one part, it says people can eat non-vegetarian food, and in some, it says not to. Come on, Dharmashastra, pick a side!

Furthermore, the Manusmriti includes verses that prescribe harsh punishments for people who defy their caste-based duties or attempt to move beyond their assigned social status. These punishments can be severe and contribute to the perpetuation of caste-based discrimination.

Whereas, the Vajrasuchi Upanishad attacks the caste system. The coin has two sides.

 Ok! Don't throw history at me, tell me what you want

If you ask me, people built the caste system out of their little ego hearts, and it impacts how we associate with people, how we get educational opportunities, and more. So, let go of the conditioning and develop as a person, seeing others as individuals.

We know caste is a topic we need to look at from all directions, and how can this one article be enough? Wanna read more about it? Come back on Saturday and find more answers about the caste system that we've all been wondering about.

My name is Pragna. My caste is Padmashali. Did that make any difference? Did any words change the meaning in the blog? Then why are we running behind the differences??