Changes in Caste Structure


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Changes in Caste Structure

As the economy and the needs of society grew, people with new were required.smaller castes,or jatis, emerged within varnas .For example,new castes appeared amongst the Brahmanas.On the other hand ,many tribes and social groups were taken into caste-based society and given the status of jatis, specialised artisans-smiths, carpenters and mansons were also recognised as separate jatis by the Brahmanas.Jatis rather than varna, became the basis of organising society.

Among the Kshatriyas , new Rajput clans became the powerful by the 11th and 12th centuries.They belonged to different lineages, such as Hunas, chandelas,Chalukyas and others. some of these , too, had been tribes earlier.many of these clans came to be regarded as Rajputs. They gradually replaced the older rulers, especially in agriculture areas. here a developed society was emerging, and rulers used their wealth to create powerful states.

The rise of Rajput clans to the positions of rulers set an example for the tribal people to follow.Gradually, with the support of the Brahmanas, many treibes became part of the caste system .But only the leading tribal families could join the ruling class.

New arts, crafts and production activities flourished in towns and villages. Over the centuries important political, social and economic developments had taken place. But social change was not the same everywhere, because different kinds of societies evolved differently. In large parts of the subcontinent, society was already divided according to the rulers of large kingdoms. The difference between the high and low, and between the rich and poor, increased.

CHANGES IN CASTE STRUCTURE

During the ancient period, the hindu society was divided on the basis of four castes (varnas) – Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and shudras.

  • The Brahmins were the highest caste. With rich land grants, they became rich and powerful.
  • The new groups that acquired wealth and political power came to be included in the kshatriyas caste.
  • The vaishyas were the merchants who grew prosperous and rose in social status.
  • The condition of the shudras however, did not improve and they remained the landless labourers
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