The Caste System - an Inherent Evil

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bnashier

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Before we talk about intercaste marriages, let us talk about the caste system itself. Following basic questions arise:

1. What is this caste system and who originated it?

2. Has it done or does it do any good to anyone?

Firstly, the world is divided into religious beliefs which have constantly brought more pain and horror to human race than any other cause.

Then, in our beloved India, we have this sad caste system which works very effectively to block us from progerss. The Arya Samaj vehemently opposed and preached against the caste system.

A PERSON'S CHARACTER AND LIFE IS DEFINED BY WHAT HE/SHE DOES AND NOT BY WHAT CASTE HE/SHE IS TOLD TO HAVE ACQUIRED BY BIRTH.

Until, we adhere to this belief and practise it fully we are are going to remain far behind in progress and joys of human life. Those of us who moved away from our birth places and reached our destinations fully well know that we progressed working with people from all parts of India/World and we NEVER dwelt on our castes.
 
When i was reading this post, my brain was busy to think many things, which i am going to say below:

1. Personally I dont believe in caste. I hate the caste not because it divides the society, but we poeple made the caste system so dirty through our action.
For example, my father told me that in old time, if any SC/ST caste person kisi high caste like bramin, rajput, jaat ke raaste me aajata tha to usko maar khaani padti thi. My father told me so many stories like that.
The above action looks very inhuman and unacceptable for an educated/mature person.

2. When caste came into the existance, its purpose was to divide the society into KARM. KARM (KAARYA) ke base per aadmi ki caste define ki jaati thi. But dheere-2, caste shaped into the inherited properties (Jaat ke santaan Jaat, Brahmin ki santaan Brahmin).
Like now a days Politics is going to ne inherited.
RLD Party=Devilal-Chautal-Chautal Son
Congress=Nehru-Indira-Rajiv-Sonia-Priyanka/Rahul

3. Like you and me, there will be other person s who hate caste system, then what we r doing here, because this site is only to support the Jaat caste. We all here united under the Jaat caste. Yes purpose is to think/do the welfare for the Jaat. And we pround of being Jaat. Yet why so?

4. As we believe that we should be proud of being Jaat or Hindu or Indian, but we should also never be hate other caste or religion or nation. Many religion fellower preached/wrote againest the caste system, but i believe that instead of preaching against it, they should try to reform the existing system.

What i said above is my feelings. If anyone finds these words uncomforatable. I beg my apolozy in advance. My intention is not to hurt anyone, but expessing my feelings.
 
I wud just comment on (3) in post by Dheeraj.
Its look like a paradox...i do not beleive in caste system, the what the &%^$ I am doing in this forum.

Here are my top 3 excuses excuse:
1. Its more likely that someone will read my silly posts in this forum than anywhere else.
2. I can bash up Jats to my hearts content.(Jats will think that I am just being critical).
3. I can bash up any one here. (Jats will think, I am just being a Jat).
 
intercaste marriage

Dear Budh:

Here is my opinion on this evil...

There are different theories about the establishment of the caste system in India; among them are religious-mystical, biological and socio-historical theories. However the most dominant is one created by the self-professed vigilantes, including some in our very own community! Almost anywhere you look around you will find a few of them, ready to draw the dagger. However, someone has aptly coined a phrase for them "might is right!" The commonest form of that might is prevalent in the form of rampant transgression.

The fact that the 3500-year-old caste system should survive in India today almost defies comprehension. It has been an aberration of the Hindu psyche. We Indians, who use lofty rhetoric about progress, characterizing our society as "united in diversity," seem to be simply perpetuating the system of social gradation that has blighted so many lives.

Social distinctions can still be discerned in our beloved, modern India even to this day in many ways. Low-caste people are forbidden to use the wells in villages that high-caste Brahmins use for fear they will pollute the water.

One particular instance that still stands fresh in my mind is when as a little girl, back in the childhood I used to fetch water from our village well and carry it home on my head. There was this young Brahmin woman at the well who used to ask me to help lift her pitcher. She would offer handful of water with the palms of her hands to ‘cleanse’ me. I followed the routine until I was 8 or 9 then one day as usual she asked me to help her out. I said, "Lady you have a choice… You could allow me to help you without the 'purity baggage' or wait here until a kinder soul comes to help you!" That was it! After that day I told all Brahmin women to find their own way to help themselves. Needless to mention it didn't' eradicate the social evil imposed by the Brahmins, but it did change mind of one little girl about caste and race relations!

I am bothered by some ignorant minds that despite having gone through similar unwarranted experiences have perpetuated the practice to this day. How can any human being be inferior to another without commiting act of indecency or an error? Even then shouldn't such judgment be bestowed by the Almighty himself? Incidentally, those of us who harbor illusion about us still being the ‘higher caste’ should try to comprehend the concept of OBC (Other Backward Classes). If we fall under this category then what makes us sacrosanct as a Jat caste? It's all in the mind, we are all humans. But then as they say, for some, "They leave the village but the village never leaves them!" You will be surprised how radical views some young minds have these days despite all the hoopla about the educational, technological and financial advances in India.

An Ancient Tradition

According to literature available, while scholars differ on the origins of the caste system in India, they agree that it is a very ancient institution. Some speculate that both the complexion and the occupations of the Aryans who invaded India around 1500 BC contributed to the growth of the caste system. The Aryan invaders, who spoke Indo-European languages, are believed by some to have been a fair-skinned, blue-eyed ethnic type. They dominated the darker-skinned original residents and made them subservient, much as the British did many centuries later.

According to the traditional Hindu view, human beings were divided into four categories on the basis of their intrinsic qualities. The highest caste, the Brahmins, were the thinkers, philosophers, and priests whose role was to provide both spiritual guidance and intellectual sustenance to the society. Originally, they lived on the charity of the people, given in return for the performance of various rites.

Next came the Kshatriyas, or Warriors, who were primarily concerned with the defense and governance of the state. The kings and rulers belonged to this caste. The third caste consisted of the Vaisyas, or Traders, who were involved in agricultural and commercial operations. In the fourth category were the Sudras, or Laborers. This caste, at the lowest rung of the hierarchical ladder, was responsible for various services, including menial jobs like scavenging and cleaning. They were considered "untouchable" and the three higher castes were not permitted to mingle with them. Marriage across caste lines was forbidden, and even now this taboo persists. Those who fall in love and marry in spite of the taboo risk excommunication from their castes.

This social system of gradation was given religious sanction by a verse in the ancient sacred writings of Hinduism and the earliest document of Indian history called the Rig-Veda. Believed to have been composed between 1500 and 1000 BC, it records that Brahmins came from the face of the creator, Kshatriyas from his arms, Vaisyas from his thighs, and Sudras from the soles of his feet. Members of the lowest caste were subjected to many restrictions in society.

There are also references to the four castes in the ancient epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. A detailed description of the caste system is found in the Manusmriti (Ordinances of Manu), named for its author. The Manusmriti, which dates from AD 700, is the most authoritative work on Hindu law. Centuries later, the British rulers in India adopted it.

The status of the low caste continued to be degraded by the Brahmins. Even revolts against the high castes by religious leaders such as Mahavira (540-468 BC), the founder of Jainism, and Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BC), the founder of Buddhism, failed to reduce the rigidity of the caste system because caste distinctions persisted in both religious sects.

Caste distinctions persisted even during the period of Muslim rule in India (1206-1862). The attempts of other religions, including Christianity and Judaism, to eradicate the caste system did not succeed because class distinctions persisted even in their folds.

The Beginnings of Change

It was the Industrial Revolution that finally made a dent in the caste system and brought a new awareness to Indians that social mobility might be possible. Industrialization encouraged urbanization, as villager dwellers of both high and low castes moved into the cities for better jobs, where they were introduced to new technologies. In the urban areas, the rigid, age-old, caste- centered thinking gave way to a more liberal outlook encouraging the mixing of castes without distinction. Trade unions and other associations had members from all castes working together.

The British government of India had a considerable, transforming impact on the country's Hindu social structure. The British brought change by passing many important laws designed to aid the marginalized lower castes--laws such as the Hindu Act, the Caste Disabilities Act, and the Widow Remarriage Act. But the British could not find a lasting solution to the problem of castes, particularly since the British saw themselves as a privileged ruling class.

The strongest, most systematic attack on the caste system has come in the twentieth century through the Constitution of India, adopted on November 26, 1949. India's constitution guarantees the right of all its citizens to justice, liberty, equality, and dignity. It has been a long and arduous journey from ancient caste distinctions based on Hindu philosophy and religious traditions to the constitutional pledge of a democratic government with equality, dignity, and justice for all human beings.

Now back to your question, "Has it done or does it do any good to anyone?" Sadly I do not believe racism does ‘any good’ to anyone! Racism or caste preferences can never be considered a good social practice. I am reminded of a famous saying, “you can not see the picture when you are inside the frame!” People have to come out of the rigid mindset to appreciate the worldview, and to accept people for as they are, than color of their skin or their caste! They need to take a train to South Africa or perhaps visit the Ghettos of New York to experience firsthand what racism does to the human soul. We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility. Finally, “the false can never grow into truth by growing in power.” (Tagore)

Regards,

Sujata
 
Thanks Sujata!!!
Similar thoughts pass through many of us...but we cannot express it the way u do. The clarity in ur writtings makes me to look fwd to ur posts...keep writting and do write more frequently...Jatland needs your talent.
 
Dear Sujata:

Please accept my sincere appreciation for your splendid article. I hope it will help many of our readers.

Indeed, the original FOUR divisions got badly distorted along the way by creating dozens of castes as we know them now. The present situation is nothing sort of an evil, where we tag a human being at birth and he/she has to carry that tag for no good whatsoever.

Sujata Ji, we don't have to go to South Africa or to the Ghettos of New York to see the plight of fellow beings based on those tags. In Haryana, recently many so-called 'untouchables' were murdered. So many young couples have been tortured/murdered once they ventured to marry and IF the parties don't have the same TAG.

I sincerely hope that at least educated folks (then whatever education means) learn to value life by its merits and not by social tags. Only then a LIFE is meaningful. What a terrible state it is when we put these meaningless moats around us and then waste lives by judging people based on what moats are around them.
 
Budh Bhai Saheb and Sujata Ji,

Thank you for your sincere thoughts. After reading Sujata Ji's post I indeed went back a long way and was reminded of my history teacher who gave us such deep understanding of history and whom I met in Jan 2004 after 29 years.

I agree with both of you in totality. We must make a difference by personal examples. However, even after the caste system is eradicated, there is a fear that we would find another way of dividing ourselves again. 'Might is Right' is what it is all about. I believe the caste system in India would outlive its utility from exploitative and political measure in about 100 years. But what divides the societies across the world are many other issues. There are more burning issues of hunger, disease, exploitation of girl child, clean drinking water, food etc. etc. And the powerful nations will find another stick to beat the world with after 'Terrorism and Al Qaeida' issue has been milked dry. The way the world was divided on issues of Marxism vs Capitalism, Communism vs Democracy etc.

I don't want to digress from the topic under discussion but since it is election time in India we are being psyched here by the 'India Shining' campaign. Yes, India which lives in metropolitan cities and along the National Highways 'may be shining' but not the 'Bharat' that lives in the villages, not more than 10 kilometers from these very highways. This divide is indeed more threatening than the caste divide.

Thanks and regards,

Lt Col JS Malik (Retd)
 
Dear Anil:

Thank you for your vote of confidence. Jatland needs more youngsters like you who make serious and deliberate efforts to uplift the community and the entire human race by contributing actively and positvely. Thanks!

Sujata
 
Dear Jagmohan:

Thanks again for the kind comments. I second your vote on the "more burning issues" of hunger, disease, exploitation of girl child, clean drinking water, food etc., however, being kind to another fellow human being doesn't require hefty financial investment, political will or community resources, just the kindness of human heart. The issue of the 'haves’ and 'have-nots' divide is understandably deepening as capitalism makes it way across the Indian subcontinent. No empire is immune to winds of change be it the US or a downtrodden country in South America or Africa. Poverty and wealth have always coexisted and created havocs on mankind since time immemorial, but there has never been such a pronounced disparity as is now. But then we are talking about human differences here… I would say this havoc is repairable without regard to the economy?

Regards,

Sujata
 
Budh Bhaiya,
Everyone will be very liberal here on this platform, but when it comes to marrying kids, forget about accepting someone from another caste or religion, even the last names in our castes are a big issue. I am not talking about love or arranged marriages here, all I am confused about is why many times a suitable match rejected just for being from another caste/religion? I personally believe this caste system is something so deeply ingrained in our society that its certainly going to take at least a few decades more to eradicate it. I can for sure say had I been in some Government service somewhere in India, I would have been discriminated everywhere for being a Jat.
 
Sujata (Feb 10, 2004 02:02 p.m.):
Dear Budh:
According to the traditional Hindu view,

This social system of gradation was given religious sanction by a verse in the ancient sacred writings of Hinduism and the earliest document of Indian history called the Rig-Veda. Believed to have been composed between 1500 and 1000 BC, it records that Brahmins came from the face of the creator, Kshatriyas from his arms, Vaisyas from his thighs, and Sudras from the soles of his feet. Members of the lowest caste were subjected to many restrictions in society.

Sujata
Click to expand...

***************To an excellent article may I add a few comments?

1. Vedas and Caste.

This is the established dogma that the Vedas purport and support Varna /caste. The facts are that in the Rig Veda the oldest Veda, there is one hymn called the “ Purush SUktaM” hymn that suggested this, the one the Sujata refers to.

It is the 10th book. (Mandal).( the RV is now on line)

This is late Mandal, and this hymn is very probably a late interpolation in a late book.

The Rig Veda does not talk of Ksahtriya, Brahmin etc except for the one solitary verse.


In fact the Rig Veda is completely anti the Brahminical, customs that we have been spoon-fed over time and in our sonomolescence accepted unthinkingly.( which is our own fault, if we refuse to become literate)

The standard Hindu doctrine and the Rig Veda are a considerable variance from each other. in certain important areas;

: 1. Widow re marriage

The Rig Veda recommends it, the current form of Hinduism (Sanathan Dharma) vaishnavism, condemn it.

Guess what the Jats follow.

2. First cousin marriage.

This custom is totally taboo in Jat society, exists in Brahmin society especially in the south, and the East. The rajputs follow it, it is f\given sanctity by the Brahminical Hindu text.( If OK for Lord Krishna, it is OK for me!!)

In late texts, the Mahabharat, etc this is supposedly shown as an acceptable custom, and Krishna is shown as marrying his son Anriruddha to his sister's daughter. thus giving sanctity to the custom, by what becomes a Vaishnav avatar( Krishna).

The more I reflect on these issues, I realize there is much more to uncover and we should not accept these versions of our past uncritically.

Some Jat scholars have taken to Sanskrit and indological Studies.

How this came about is an area that needs more concentration by Jat scholars, who are willing to learn Sanskrit, Prakrit, etc and peel away the onion peels, behind which the original truth is hidden.

It is not common knowledge that most of the Rishis and over 60 clans in the RV are Jat Clans (Gotras). B S Dahiya wrote an excellent book bringing this fact out.

The RV is then essentially a Jat document, Jat Philosophy, History etc.

The Brahminical element comes in much later, in a historical timeline. There is some thinking the Brahmin priestly custom itself is not Aryan., but was grafted on the Aryan stem.

if you discuss this with Brahmin philosophers, they will get uptight and tell you that Hinduism is not just the RV, but also the other Vedas the other Hindu texts, smR^itis and so on and so on.

One core issue is why the discord between the RV and later Hinduism?


If this is addressed, it may do much to do away with intellectual base of the hoax of 4 Varna superiority/inferiority propagated over the ages


Ravi Chaudhary
 
Sujata (Feb 10, 2004 02:02 p.m.):
Dear Budh:
According to the traditional Hindu view,

This social system of gradation was given religious sanction by a verse in the ancient sacred writings of Hinduism and the earliest document of Indian history called the Rig-Veda. Believed to have been composed between 1500 and 1000 BC, it records that Brahmins came from the face of the creator, Kshatriyas from his arms, Vaisyas from his thighs, and Sudras from the soles of his feet. Members of the lowest caste were subjected to many restrictions in society.

Sujata
Click to expand...

***************To an excellent article may I add a few comments?

1. Vedas and Caste.

This is the established dogma that the Vedas purport and support Varna /caste. The facts are that in the Rig Veda the oldest Veda, there is one hymn called the “ Purush SUktaM” hymn that suggested this, the one the Sujata refers to.

It is the 10th book. (Mandal).( the RV is now on line)

This is late Mandal, and this hymn is very probably a late interpolation in a late book.

The Rig Veda does not talk of Ksahtriya, Brahmin etc except for the one solitary verse.


In fact the Rig Veda is completely anti the Brahminical, customs that we have been spoon-fed over time and in our sonomolescence accepted unthinkingly.( which is our own fault, if we refuse to become literate)

The standard Hindu doctrine and the Rig Veda are a considerable variance from each other. in certain important areas;

: 1. Widow re marriage

The Rig Veda recommends it, the current form of Hinduism (Sanathan Dharma) vaishnavism, condemn it.

Guess what the Jats follow.

2. First cousin marriage.

This custom is totally taboo in Jat society, exists in Brahmin society especially in the south, and the East. The rajputs follow it, it is f\given sanctity by the Brahminical Hindu text.( If OK for Lord Krishna, it is OK for me!!)

In late texts, the Mahabharat, etc this is supposedly shown as an acceptable custom, and Krishna is shown as marrying his son Anriruddha to his sister's daughter. thus giving sanctity to the custom, by what becomes a Vaishnav avatar( Krishna).

The more I reflect on these issues, I realize there is much more to uncover and we should not accept these versions of our past uncritically.

Some Jat scholars have taken to Sanskrit and indological Studies.

How this came about is an area that needs more concentration by Jat scholars, who are willing to learn Sanskrit, Prakrit, etc and peel away the onion peels, behind which the original truth is hidden.

It is not common knowledge that most of the Rishis and over 60 clans in the RV are Jat Clans (Gotras). B S Dahiya wrote an excellent book bringing this fact out.

The RV is then essentially a Jat document, Jat Philosophy, History etc.

The Brahminical element comes in much later, in a historical timeline. There is some thinking the Brahmin priestly custom itself is not Aryan., but was grafted on the Aryan stem.

if you discuss this with Brahmin philosophers, they will get uptight and tell you that Hinduism is not just the RV, but also the other Vedas the other Hindu texts, smR^itis and so on and so on.

One core issue is why the discord between the RV and later Hinduism?


If this is addressed, it may do much to do away with intellectual base of the hoax of 4 Varna superiority/inferiority propagated over the ages


Ravi Chaudhary
 
Sujata (Feb 10, 2004 02:02 p.m.):One particular instance that still stands fresh in my mind is when as a little girl, back in the childhood I used to fetch water from our village well and carry it home on my head. There was this young Brahmin woman at the well who used to ask me to help lift her pitcher. She would offer handful of water with the palms of her hands to ‘cleanse’ me. I followed the routine until I was 8 or 9

***************

I am curious.

Was this a common custom ??

Were the Brahmins that highly regarded in jat Society , that a Jat helping them had to be purified after touching their water?

Technical question

Ravi Chaudhary
Click to expand...
 
Dear Ravi:

Thanks for informative notes.

About the 'purification/cleansibg' ritual, I remember many such incidents when I was growing in the sixties in a village in Sonepat district. The local Brahmin folks used to consider themselves above everybody else. They just felt some 'aura'. I don't know why. Things have considerably changed now . I remember a guy who used to wipe his books with a wet cloth if anybody else touched them. To cleanse your hands with a palmful of water before you helped them lift pitcher on a village well was a typical phenomenon. There is nothing wrong in cleaning your hands; but the fact was that you had already washed your hands and cleaned your own pitcher before you started filling it. And then you were only touching the outer part of their pitcher to help them lift it.
 
Ravi Chaudhary (Feb 12, 2004 12:44 p.m .......

I am curious.
Was this a common custom ??
Were the Brahmins that highly regarded in jat Society , that a Jat helping them had to be purified after touching their water?
Technical question

Ravi Chaudhary
Click to expand...


Ravi:

Yup! This was a common custom! All castes except for “schedule castes” were allowed to draw water from same well, usually located outside of the village. In those days going to fetch water from the well used to be “show and tell’ for the new young brides to show off their costumes, jewelry, and clout! For the village folks it was a chance to see the best and worst dressed, and for the women folk to make friends and socialize. The practice was to fetch water early in the morning (6 AM rain or shine) and then again at tea time. The Brahmin women usually wore sari, boasted about their superior heritage, sophisticated lifestyle, and their high(er) pedestal in the hierarchy.

You see unlike many educated Jatnis here I was born and bred in a ‘real village.’ Indeed my village breeding was so strong that I came up with the idea to share those memories and expressions, including the inception of the vocabulary for Jat Dictionary with rest of jatland. And as the famous saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child” I was raised by the entire village, and thus subject to the good, bad and the ugly! Yes, before becoming a Yale grad, and a researcher at the NIH, I have covered my head with the ‘odhani’ in the village. I have helped with “laamni’ alongside my brothers and bhabis; I have cut “kaasani-barsham’ with my own hands; cut ‘saani for our ‘dangars’ given bath to our buffalo in our ‘village jhod’ and yes, I have carried the cow dung on my head and made theypadi gossay in our gher, helped build the ‘bitoda,’ and helped cook ‘raabdi’ and ‘keechadi’ on our ‘hara.’ I have not only carried one but a ‘dogghud’ (two water filled pitchers) on my head. Oh, yeah, I shouldn’t forget, I even had to bathe at the village well as was the ritual for the young Jat girls in the month of ‘Karthic.’

Most of my memories of my early life are remarkable except for making decisions about my future. That’s where I didn’t allow the community to make decisions for me because I, not the community had to live with them for the rest of my life!

So please allow me to toot horn about the village life I so cherish to this day. I don’t usually open my mouth, but when I do, I tell much more truth than people can expect or imagine. Now, did performing those chores make me inferior? No! That was the way of life! You couldn’t crib or complain. In fact I had no reservations, I lived it happily!

On the flip side, if I have (through sheer hard work) progressed to a better life (traveled to the US), or become modernized with rest of the world, shouldn’t really be anybody’s business but mine! I didn’t complain either way; I have done my share, lived in the village as was expected with dignity and respect for all. And when destiny chose a different path I fulfilled that obligation with equally open arms! I think most people can somehow find a happy medium in life regardless of one's physical or geographical location. I became more compassionate with the village issues partly because of having seen both worlds, but to this day I have stayed cose to my roots. But then my difinition of staying in touch with my roots may be different than some here...

Thank you for allowing me to elaborate...
 
Sujata (Feb 12, 2004 03:14 p.m.):
Ravi Chaudhary (Feb 12, 2004 12:44 p.m .......

I am curious.
Was this a common custom ??
Were the Brahmins that highly regarded in jat Society , that a Jat helping them had to be purified after touching their water?
Technical question

Ravi Chaudhary
Click to expand...


Ravi:

Yup! This was a common custom! All castes except for “schedule castes” were allowed to draw water from same well, usually located outside of the village.

******************

Sujata,

Yours is a very wonderful and inspiring story.

If I may go back to my technical query -

Was the whole village putting these Brahmin Caste women on a ritual varnic pedestal of acknowledged superiority, and after having polluted their Ghara or Tokani, by touching it, getting purified by them.

That would be quite a distinction from social snobbishness.

Reason I ask is in the South of India, the Brahmins and their consider themselves polluted if a shudra's shadow touches them.

There are only Brahmins or Shudras in that society.

Ravi
Click to expand...
 
Ravi Chaudhary (Feb 12, 2004 04:39 p.m.):

Sujata,

Yours is a very wonderful and inspiring story. If I may go back to my technical query. Was the whole village putting these Brahmin Caste women on a ritual varnic pedestal of acknowledged superiority, and after having polluted their Ghara or Tokani, by touching it, getting purified by them.That would be quite a distinction from social snobbishness.Reason I ask is in the South of India, the Brahmins and their consider themselves polluted if a shudra's shadow touches them.There are only Brahmins or Shudras in that society.

Ravi
Click to expand...

**********************************************************************

Ravi:

Bhai tu kaun se gaam me paida hua tha? (I hope you don’t mind my being cordial in jaatu?) No, it wasn’t happening in a ‘far away place’ in South, it was in my village, a stone’s throw away from the New Delhi airport. Mhare gaam ke bamanah te haath dhuaate dhuaate te kai shatabdi beet gayi. Humne haath dhowan te rahat jib milli thi jab Jamnaji ka paani mhare gaam me aaya tha (about 15 years ago). So until then it wasn’t as though the Jatnis were fond of promoting the prejudiced practice, it was more like, “We have always done like that” theory. No one really paid much attention to such refined ideas. Besides people were afraid of defying social norms. Well... I was an exception (controversy is my middle name)! So I chose to promulgate what I believed in.

Best,

Sujata
 
[

Sujata

Thank you for your response.

All I was asking was:

was it an established social custom, that all the Jats of your village

1) accepted the Brahmins as their caste superiors

and

2) carried the firewood and water for them and their households, as part of the acknowledged duties of their (Jat) lower caste status ?


I am aware that in Rajastan, Jats were treated quite badly.

Mine is only a technical, data collecting question.

No offence is intended.

It is important data, not to be trivialized.


Ravi

P.S. We can discuss later how this arose, when it came about, why and so on.No point discussing that untill we are clear on the data.
 
Ravi:

I think I have already answered your question, and no, no offense taken. I was just surprised that you are not familiar with this generally known practice in villages. However, let me repeat no, it was not an established social custom, not legally or morally, yet an accepted/imposed phenomenon. At least the Jat villages on the outskirts of New Delhi:

1) Did not accept the Brahmins as superiors but yes, a few outrageous prevalent customs were entertained without questions. The one I most hatefully remember was the hand washing practice by Brahmins.

Most other social rituals were observed with distinction between the two castes (Jats and Brahmins), for instance, I don’t think Sankranti (where a Jat daughter-in-law or other women of the household honor elders by conspicuously going through the village in a procession like ceremony) primarily a Jat function was considered a big deal among Brahmins. Brahmins concentrated more on fasting and worship rituals. The food habits were also distinct in the two subgroups in that, unlike the Jats who were content eating (Bajre ki roti etc.) or whatever the seasonal crop yielded, the Brahmins (because they had to buy everything) elaborated on cooking techniques of delicacies such as kheer, seasoned dals and curries, and rice etc. In terms of the costumes there were differences too. While most Jat women wore ghaghri salwar kameez, the Brahmin women wore lahanga, and sari. I believe the farming occupation may have had a lot to do with it? On the language issue the Brahmins generally preferred to talk in proper Hindi rather than the local dialect the Jats felt comfortable taking pride in. One other subtle observation I made was that a Brahmin was offered due hospitality in a Jat household (offering tea, snacks), where as Jats were distanced from such regard, unless a friendlier association existed between the families. Perhaps the Jat occupation and lifestyle in general (raising cattle, farming) didn’t allow the concept of cleanliness or equity to prevail, therefore the Brahmins felt they were somehow accorded or ordained superior status? However, I somehow feel that both castes claimed superiority over the over based on their own perception.

2) No, no one carried the firewood and water for them and their households, as part of the acknowledged duties of lower caste status. On the contrary the Brahmins were offered goods (food, clothing, money) as an act of charity at auspicious (weddings, childbirth) as well inauspicious occasions (death in the family). Jats believed such donation stemmed from spiritual generosity in order to achieve moksha. In Vedas and other religious scriptures the 'Brahmin' is considered as one possessing spiritual wisdom, and a ‘poor soul’ one with God, thus worthy of charitable act. Most Jat families believed that the universe undergoes endless cycles of creation, preservation and dissolution. And that the divine beings exist in unseen worlds and that temple worship, rituals, sacraments as well as personal devotionals create a communion with Gods. Karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words and deeds, is critical in achieving moksha and assuring reincarnation as a human being. My mother used to say one goes through 84 thousand (lacs?) births before reincarnating as a human again. But the process can be shortened through a spiritually awakened master or Guru, who is essential to know the transcendent absolute, as are personal discipline, good conduct, purification, pilgrimage, self-inquiry meditation and charity. However, going back to our topic in question, I do not know of a particular religion or caste that teaches or boasts of a different way to salvation above all others. All religious philosophies teach humanity. All genuine religious paths are facets of God's pure love and light, deserving tolerance and understanding.

My knowledge on this comes from interacting with Brahmin classmates, personal observations from around my neighborhood, and from what was handed down by my parents, therefore should be taken with a grain of salt. Most knowledge on the so called hierarchical structure in the villages is based solely on hearsay; there exists no written text or local law to this day within the village Panchayat or the village elders on such practices.


Sujata
 
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