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Writer's pictureRiddhima Mehta

Jati-India’s Caste System

For almost two thousand years, tourists visiting India have made observations about the Indian caste system. Following a person’s family, the caste demands the majority of a person’s allegiance. Indians still identify themselves by their group, and caste still plays a role in marital commitments .


The caste system in India is called jati. The term jati is found in practically all Indian languages and refers to a familial group or lineage. In India, there are maybe over 3000 jatis. Each locality has a jati ranking, which is closely linked to purity and pollution. People try to marry their sons and daughters to members of their own jati, and they will pledge their allegiance to it.




The caste system is fluid, and jatis have shifted positions over the years in Indian history. By rising economically and copying social groups with money and power, a jati can better its standing in the class system. A lower jati copies the habits and behaviour patterns of the dominant jati in the area to gain position in this process. This could mean that a lower jati adopts a higher jati’s name, becomes vegetarian, follows more conventional religious practises, builds a temple, and treats its women more conservatively.


Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar once said, “Caste will stand in your way for political and economic reforms within India.” Eradicating such a firm basis, he claims, is extremely difficult but not impossible. The practise of untouchability is prohibited by the Indian Constitution, and the Indian government has established specific quotas in schools and Parliament to assist the lowest jatis. Discrimination based on caste is not tolerated when it comes to employment, education, and other chances. However, this does not imply that caste is unlawful or that it no longer exists.


I dont believe in the caste system as it is nothing more than discrimination. They prevent social mobility and unity. Basically it is a wealth-based segregation. They prevent a welcoming and helpful society as people refuse to help people in a different caste and look down on them. Thus, I feel the caste system is a dated system and we should strive to eradicate it.


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