IAS Test Series 2013 by Alternative Learning System (ALS)

Caste is the most important and perhaps unique concept of Indian society. It can be loosely defined as a hereditary and endogamous group having an actual or supposed relationship with a profession and occupying a particular position in local hierarchy of such groups. Formation of castes did not come up from the division of varnas but was a different process altogether. The concept is not only ritualistic but also has social and economic aspects as it regulated the modes of production. The concept has evolved through thousands of years of social churning and has been fed by assimilations and foreign influences. You can read more on such topics by following test series forias 2013.

 Initial traces of caste system can be seen in increase in number of professions in the Later Vedic age. Initially these artisans or craftsmen tended to live together. During the Buddhist period there are references of villages inhabited by smiths and carpenters. The period also saw formation of guilds of craftsmen. With the passage of time, association with the trades became a part of the identity of its members which they retained even after they changed their profession. A 5^th century inscription from Mandsor in Narmada Valley refers to a guild of silk weavers many of whose members were practicing other professions but were still members of guild. These members had retained their sense of being part of the guild despite giving up the profession. It is not known whether the group was monogamous or not but this characteristic resembles that of a caste and can explain the formation of castes on occupational basis. The testseries for ias contains all such information.

Apart from these, the tribes were being assimilated in the Aryan fold and many of these preserved their identities. Foreigners were also assimilated in the system. Manusmriti speaks of the ‘degraded kshatriyas’ who could be brought back to their original status by performing certain rituals. All these were granted the status of separate castes and position in the social hierarchy depended upon their political and economic power. Ias test series is the best way to understand this concept.