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The Caste System And Untouchability In India
As India strives to make great strides in its economy and infrastructure, it is constantly reminded of its social reality that is based on an age-old caste system. The history of India has seen sporadic incidents of discrimination against a particular group of people, mostly under the attestation from the traditional systems of caste and untouchability. The most recent incident is the lynching of Dalits by cow-protection groups in Una, Gujarat. It is interesting and informative to know about the origin of such social stratification that has affected the discourse of Indian society and politics in some manner.
Origins of the Caste System:
The caste system as we see it today has not been pronounced in just one book; infact it has been shaped by multiple texts. The most ancient mention of the caste system is found in the Rig Veda, believed to be developed between 1500-800 BC, where it was called the Varna system. It classified the society into four varnas:
the Brahmins: priests, scholars and teachers;
the Kshatriyas: rulers, warriors and administrators;
the Vaishyas: cattle herders, agriculturists, artisans and merchants; and
the Shudras: labourers and service providers.
These distinctions were mentioned in the Purusha Sukta verse of the Veda, although some scholars believe that this clause was added much later than the Vedic period. Similar laws were articulated in Manu Smriti, which is believed to be written between 200 BC-200 AD and which served as the guiding text for formulating Hindu laws by the British government. Even Mahabharata, the text of which was completed by 4th century AD, had mentions of the four-tier Varna system.
All of these texts associated particular traits with each class: Brahmins were considered to be pure, wise and gentle; Kshatriyas were linked with anger, pleasure and boldness; Vaishyas were deemed to be hard-working people living off the plough; and Shudras were associated with violence and impurity, worthy of contempt. As such, their social status began to be perceived in the declining order – Brahmins were highly respected and obeyed while Shudras were despised and ordered. Over time, particular castes were placed even below Shudras and were called Avarnas – not belonging to any class. They were supposed to do menial jobs as sweepers, gutter cleaners, scavengers, watchmen, farm laborers, rearers of unclean animals such as pigs, and curers of hides. People from such castes are called Dalits (meaning oppressed) in modern times. Although many of them have moved to other professions over time, yet the general perception against them has remained to be one of hatred and loathe