Caste-like formations are present in Non-Hindu religious communities as well. Discuss with examples. (UPSC CSE Mains 2021 - Sociology, Paper 2)
- Caste-like formations are indeed present in non-Hindu religious communities in India. The caste system, which is primarily associated with Hinduism, has permeated other religious communities in the country, such as Islam, Christianity, and Sikhism. This phenomenon can be understood through the theories of Indian sociological thinkers like G.S. Ghurye, M.N. Srinivas, and Louis Dumont.
- G.S. Ghurye, in his book “Caste and Race in India,” argued that caste is not merely a Hindu phenomenon but a social reality that transcends religious boundaries. He observed that caste-like formations exist among Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs in India. For example, among Indian Muslims, the Ashraf (upper caste) and Ajlaf (lower caste) distinctions are based on their ancestry and occupation. Similarly, Christian communities in India have caste divisions, such as the Syrian Christians in Kerala, who claim to be descendants of Brahmins and maintain a higher social status compared to other Christian converts. In Sikhism, despite Guru Nanak’s teachings against caste discrimination, caste divisions persist among Jat Sikhs, Khatri Sikhs, and Dalit Sikhs.
- M.N. Srinivas, another prominent Indian sociologist, also acknowledged the presence of caste-like formations in non-Hindu communities. In his study of the Coorgs in Karnataka, he found that the Coorgs, who are predominantly Hindu, and the Kodavas, who are mainly Christian, share similar caste-based social structures. Srinivas attributed this to the process of “Sanskritization,” where lower castes and non-Hindu communities adopt the customs, rituals, and practices of the upper castes to improve their social status. This process leads to the assimilation of caste-like structures in non-Hindu communities.
- Louis Dumont, in his book “Homo Hierarchicus,” argued that the caste system is an inherent part of Indian society and cannot be separated from its religious and cultural context. He believed that the caste system is deeply rooted in the Indian psyche and has influenced other religious communities as well. For instance, the Muslim caste system in India is unique compared to other Islamic countries, as it has absorbed the hierarchical structure of the Hindu caste system. Similarly, the caste system among Indian Christians is different from the Christian communities in other countries, as it has been influenced by the Indian social context.
- Caste-like formations in non-Hindu religious communities in India can hence be understood through the theories of Indian sociological thinkers like G.S. Ghurye, M.N. Srinivas, and Louis Dumont. These thinkers have highlighted that caste is not just a Hindu phenomenon but a social reality that transcends religious boundaries in India. The presence of caste-like structures in Muslim, Christian, and Sikh communities can be attributed to the historical, cultural, and social context of India, which has shaped the social fabric of these communities.
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