question about the caste system?

Question

i have a web friend from India.and she says she is of the girijans caste. she says it is a low caste. Can someone explain the system to me. She says she is trapped by her caste and wants to come to Statees for a better life.

Answer 1

The traditional Hindu caste system comprises of 4 divisions

1. Brahmin's: the priests who are the highest caste. As holy men they were keepers of knowledge both religious and all other kinds.

2. Kshatriya's : kings and warriors. Defenders of the country

3. Vaishyas: traders merchants and artisans

4. Shudras: initially the agricultural / manual workers. This came to be the lowest caste and people of this caste became 'untouchables' for the higher castes. The other castes treated these people very badly.

In the 20th century Mahatma Gandhi renamed the Shudras as 'Hari-jans' (people of god 'Hari') in an attempt to raise their acceptance and integrate them with the rest of the society. I think your friend mentioned she is a 'harijan'

While things are changing and the constitution of India does not recognise castes it's still prevalent in the minds of most people.