Caste system is on the whole rigid, but it is groundless to speak of its utter inflexibility. The caste system has undergone many changes and occasionally shown considerable adaptability, and its survival even to this date is in no small measure due to its partially flexible character.
Speaking about modern tends in the caste system one can definitely say that the rigid distinctions are watering down. The precess however is bound to be slow. The caste distinctions in so far they applied to food habits and occupational restrictions are rapidly disappearing and in the urban areas they have almost disappeared.
We can find a Brahmin taking to non-vegetarian food and we can also see a Brahmin running a cobbler’s shop. Similarly there does not exist any bar for any person belonging to the lower caste to do the jobs of a Brahmins excepting a job of a priest. A Shudra can do viiya- adhyayan.
There is another distinguishing trend in modern times and that is the myth of religious sanction behind the caste system slowly exploding. Nobody takes it for granted that it is the laws of karma that decides his caste. The sense of guj]t which was formerly attached to the violation of the rules of caste system has totally disappeared.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
However, the essence of caste system (Endogamy) still persists. It is true that there are cases of inter-caste marriages but they are few and far between. An Indian, however, highly placed and advanced in education still prefers a bride from his own caste. Somehow or other the difference of cultural traits in different castes have not yet been destroyed.
To some extent even social exclusiveness persists. For certain ceremonies one can find people of particular castes coming together. Even the so-called public associations, clubs, and charitable trusts show a tendency of caste-wise grouping even then the older type of rigidity is certainly disappearing.
In assessing the modern trends in caste system we have to make a difference between rural of India and urban India. It might be said that older pattern of caste system still survives however in weaker form in rural India, though in urban India it is fast losing its rigidity. British rule brought new ideas in India. And broadly speaking these new ideas of equality materially advance and the ideas of democracy and classless society were the factor responsible for slowly undermining the caste system in India.
The first important factor nibbling at the root of the caste system was the spread of western education. The reformist movements emphasising the essential equality of men the growth of nationalism and the exigencies of modern life have all combined to undermine the basis of the institution of caste. Thus the granted that it is the laws of karma that decides his caste. The sense of gUjit which was formerly attached to the violation of the rules of caste system has totally disappeared.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
However, the essence of caste system (Endogamy) still persists. It is true that there are cases of inter-caste marriages but they are few and far between. An Indian, however, highly placed and advanced in education still prefers a bride from his own caste. Somehow or other the difference of cultural traits in different castes have not yet been destroyed.
To some extent even social exclusiveness persists. For certain ceremonies one can find people of particular castes coming together. Even the so-called public associations, clubs, and charitable trusts show a tendency of caste-wise grouping even then the older type of rigidity is certainly disappearing.
In assessing the modern trends in caste system we have to make a difference between rural of India and urban India. It might be said that older pattern of caste system still survives however in weaker form in rural India, though in urban India it is fast losing its rigidity. British rule brought new ideas in India. And broadly speaking these new ideas of equality materially advance and the ideas of democracy and classless society were the factor responsible for slowly undermining the caste system in India.
The first important factor nibbling at the root of the caste system was the spread of western education. The reformist movements emphasising the essential equality of men the growth of nationalism and the exigencies of modern life have all combined to undermine the basis of the institution of caste.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Thus the basis principle of the caste-system the law of karma is challenged and many of its conventional restriction are disregarded ‘social and religious privileges and disabilities born of caste are no longer recognized in law and only partially in custom.
The three distinguishing features of the Indian caste system are- occupation, inter-marriage and interlining restrictions. These restrictions are fast disappearing under the reformist movements and liberal education. It may be said that the growth of city life, the exigencies of office work, railway travelling, have forced people to ignore caste-restriction about food.
The wide contacts in the and other public institution are bringing about inter caste marriages. The growth of nationalism has emphasized equality. Thus the change of ideas and ideals has worked towards the slow undermining of the caste system in India.