Question

Explain any four characteristics of caste.

Answer 1

The features of caste are as follows:

1. Particular: Caste is a unique social stratification system found solely in India.
2. Ascribed Status: People are born into their castes, membership in a specific caste is natural.
3. Closed System: Caste restricts people’s ability to shift between social strata.
4. Concept of Ritual purity and pollution: The concept of ritual cleanliness and impurity is linked to the caste system, leading to negative practices such as “Untouchability”.
5. Divine Origin: The caste system is deeply rooted in Hindu traditions and is attributed to its divine origin.