Factors leading to a change in the caste system

Factors leading to a change in the caste system

The caste system has undergone vast changes in modern times. Here, we briefly examine factors that contributed to these changes.

1. Influence of education: The British introduced modern secular education uniformly throughout India. In independent India, educational facilities are extended to all castes. The lowest caste people are also entitled to these facilities. However, this does not mean that modern educated people are completely free from the hold of the caste.

2. Industrialization, Urbanization and Westernization: Industrialization created a number of non-agricultural job opportunities. This new economic opportunity weak­ened the hold of the upper castes, who owned vast lands. People of different castes, classes, and religions started working together in factories, offices, workshops, etc.

The growth of cities has drawn people of all castes together and made them stay to­gether, ignoring many of their caste restrictions. The upper caste people started looking to the West to modify their lifestyle to fit the model of the West. Thus, they became more and more Westernized without bothering much about caste inhibitions.

3. Freedom Struggle and the Establishment of Democracy: The freedom struggle waged against the British brought all the caste people together to fight for a common cause. The establishment of a democratic type of government soon after Independence dealt yet another blow to the caste by extending equal socio-economic opportunities to all without any discrimination.

4. Rise of Non-Brahmin Movement: Jyothirao Pooley launched a movement against Brahmin supremacy in 1873. This movement became popular over time, particu­larly in the South. It created awareness among the lower castes and instilled in them the feeling of “self-respect.”

5. Other causes –

a. Social Reform Movements: Various social reform movements, such as Satyashodhak Samaj, Brahma Samaj, Arya Samaj, Sri Ramakrishna Mission, etc., have been able to remove the rigidity and some of the evil practices associated with the caste system.

b. Threat of Conversion: Social disabilities imposed on the lower castes made some of them get themselves converted to either Christianity or Islam. Pressure tactics and temptations further added to this conversion process. The threat of conversion compelled the upper castes to relax many of the caste rigidities so that they could hold back the lower caste people who were getting ready for conversion.

c. Improvement in the Status of Women: The evolution of New Social Classes, i.e., working class, middle class and capitalist class and radical changes in the system of division of labour, especially in rural areas, have further loosened the roots of the caste system.

d. Rise of new social classes: Industrialization has given rise to the emergence of new social classes. These social classes are replacing the traditional castes. Trade Unions, Merchants’ Associations and Political Parties are replacing the old caste loyalties. An increase in class consciousness leads to a decrease in caste consciousness.