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Caste System
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The Caste System still occupies an important place in the Hindu religion. The primary aim and ideal of all religions is the emancipation of all its followers, especially that of the weaker sections and the downtrodden. So it is strange that a religion like Hinduism goes against that ideal and purposefully condemn a section of its own followers as untouchable outcasts. The Hindu Brahmins have created theoretical explanations, Puranic stories and religious myths to support and justify their conduct. The sole aim of what is called "Brahminism" is to create and maintain a system which gives a supreme place of importance to Brahmanic priests and other Brahmins in general.
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Who's Who in the Caste System: The Peninsulares or Gauchapine, (European born whites) considered themselves superior to the Criollos or Creoles (Colonial born whites) and were supported in this belief by royal decrees from Spain. Both castes were, by law, politically and socially above the mixed bloods, the Mestizo (Spanish Indian) and Mulattos (Spanish Negro), who were socially and legally superior to the Indians (Natives), who were socially superior to the Negroes.
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The picture that one gets of the caste system in the Brhaddharmapurana is quite different from the one that emerges from the Vallalacharita. In the case of the former, Ksatriyas and Vaishyas are classified differently, and the Shudras have been divided into two broad categories, namely, Sat Shudras (from whom higher castes could accept food and drinks) and Asat Shudras (whose touch was considered to be polluting). At the same time in terms of social ranking Brahmans were said to have been immediately followed by Ambasthas (Vaidya) and Karanas (Kayasthas). Similarly, Shankharis, Modakas, Tantubayis, Das (Peasants), Karmakaras, Suvarnavanikas and various other sub-castes and mixed castes (Sankara castes) ... found a place in the narrative of the Brhaddharmapurana.
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The caste system was enforced with the help of law books such as Manusmriti and the support of kings who considered themselves as upholders of dharma. The force of tradition, superstition, religious beliefs, fear of punishment ... played an important role in its success. Some of these factors are explained in detail.
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Although the Caste system dates back to the Vedic period there has been very little change in castes positions relative to one another. Because of this Brahmans still enjoy many privileges even though claims to these privileges are no longer officialy accepted. It is believed that Brahmans are of greater purity then other castes and because of this are capable of performing religious duties[3]
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In medieval Europe, the estates of the realm were a caste system. The population was divided into nobles, clergy, the commoners and in some regions, the latter was divided into burghers, peasants and the estateless. Although originally based on occupation, one's estate was eventually inherited, because of low social mobility.
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Caste System