Brief notes on the Role of Caste System in Medieval India

Role of Caste System in Medieval India

(i) Medieval Indian society was completely dominated by the caste system, which began with the Aryan conquest of India.

(ii) The caste system became more rigid, with the higher castes ill-treating the Sudras.

(iii) Each new occupation resulted in the formation of a new sub-group or jati, which developed as new castes.

(iv) Foreigners were absorbed into society by allotting them new castes.

(v) Rajputs emerged as an important new caste.

(vi) Hindu reformers and Bhakti saints criticized the caste system as being oppressive.

(vii) Caste rules resulted in degrading the position of women by promoting sati, child marriage, infanticide, ill-treatment of widows, denying them education and inheritance rights, etc.

(viii) The Indian Muslims too, got divided along caste lines, with the formation of two groups: (a) the pure-blooded who came from Central Asia, Iran and Afghanistan and (b) Low caste Hindus who had converted to Islam.

(ix) Sharp economic inequalities were a result of the caste distinctions.