The caste system is a form of social hierarchy that is still apparent in India today. It is believed that the caste system originated around 1500 BC, when Hindus were split into 4 caste levels. These levels made the caste system as the basis of order and regularity of society in India.
Levels of the Caste System
The four major castes from higher status to lower status are: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and Untouchables (India’s Caste System ). These are the order because many Hindu people believe that the groups originated from Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. It is believed that Brahmins came from his head, Kshatriyas came from his arms, Vaishyas came from his thighs, and Shudras came from his feet, while the untouchables include everyone out-of-caste (Creation of the Caste System).
With over 80% of the population practicing Hinduism as of 2011, the Caste system is still apparent throughout society in India. With the second most common group is Muslim, of 13.5%, whom practice a different religion (Religion Census in India ). In traditional arranged marriage it was almost unheard of for a Hindu to marry a Muslim, and it was frowned upon.
Importance of Caste to Indian Society
- Caste is determined at birth from your family and cannot be changed, so status and behavior are predetermined in society.
- Higher castes are known to have a higher status with higher education and more money.
- Lower castes are known to have less education, sometimes live in poverty, and have low status in society.
- Higher caste groups also have stricter arranged marriage practices and stricter expectations, while lower caste groups have looser practices and lower expectations (Caste Traditions).
When it comes to marriage in India, caste is something that is considered. Inter-caste marriage is expected in Indian society. It is most popular for someone to marry someone within the same caste level as them. Every now and then one spouse might be one level lower or one level higher, but the closer the caste levels the bride and groom are to each other the higher respect they will have as a couple in society. It is rare to ever see someone of the first four levels to marry one of the untouchables, who do not belong to the same caste. This helps explain why in arranged marriages, parents tend to push for arranged marriages of two people from the same caste, so that their status is respected in society.
Arranged Marriages in India 