Practicing Success
Practicing Success
CUET Preparation Today
| Theoretically, the caste system can be understood as the combination of two sets of principles. Each caste is supposed to be different from – and is therefore strictly separated from – every other caste. Many of the scriptural rules of caste are thus designed to prevent the mixing of castes – rules ranging from marriage, food sharing and social interaction to occupation. On the other hand, these different and separated castes do not have an individual existence – they can only exist in relation to a larger whole, the totality of society consisting of all castes. Further, this societal whole or system is a hierarchical rather than egalitarian system. Each individual caste occupies not just a distinct place, but also an ordered rank – a particular position in a ladder-like arrangement going from highest to lowest. |
| The hierarchical ordering of castes is based on the distinction between |
Purity and pollution. Status and role. Martial and social power. All of the above |
| Purity and pollution. |
| The hierarchical ordering of castes is based on the distinction between "purity and pollution." |
