Traditional society structure (castes)

The caste structure of society is characteristic of Hindu but in a reduced form it is preserved also among the representatives of other Indian religions. Some three thousand castes are known, the caste hierarchy is headed by sacrificing priests-brahmans. The caste is not mentioned in official documents, but in everyday and in the public life caste orders and prescriptions are dominant. According to these regulations the Hindu strictly adhere to the caste hereditary professions, marry exclusively within their own caste and try not to keep company with the representatives of the lower castes. For a very long time a ban on communicating with the untouchables (the Harijan) was especially strict. The members of this caste were severely discriminated in all aspects of life. Nowadays the untouchables enjoy support of the state in getting education and employment. 

Each caste is congener, based on ties of blood. It consists of real and potential relatives and is agnate, that is, inherited from the male ancestor. Each caste is to adhere to the strict rules of conduct in all life situations. The principle of ritual chastity lies at the basis of these rules. The Brahmans, making sacrifices and chanting sacramental hymns are always chaste, and the untouchables, clearing rubbish, are always dirty. All the other castes are located between these two poles depending on the ritual chastity of their occupation. One can communicate without any precautions with the representatives of the same caste and those of the higher ones, but the contacts with the lower castes lead to desecration. The caste system envisages all potential contacts depending on the degree of proximity. These are accidental meeting on the road, remaining in the same room, accidental touching, sitting side by side, taking water from the other person’s hands, smoking; eating together and lastly – consummating a marriage. The Indian caste system is a thoroughly thought-out to the smallest detail and well arranged way of life, existing under conditions of extraordinary ethnic and cultural diversity, demographic overpopulation, lack of resources, and a highly aggressive tropical climate.  The caste system is also a very successful social security department.  In every Indian village there exists its own caste community, where all the representatives of the necessary castes co-exist – the Brahmans, the farmers, livestock breeders, greengrocers, handicraftsmen, barbers, watchmen, and so forth. Different castes live in their own caste neighborhood, but within the community active help in labor and everyday life is well organized and that makes the community self-sufficient.

Two maidens of a high caste from the Kandy area of Sri Lanka (former Ceylon). The Singhalese. The first quarter of the 20th century.		The Representatives of the Highest Caste. India. The Indians. The Beginning of the 20th Century.		Two females of the Lower Caste of the Same Family. Sri Lanka (Former Ceylon). The Singhalese. The First Quarter of the 20th Century.
Tom-tom beaters.Sri Lanka (Ceylon). The Sinhalese. The Tamils.Mervart A.M., Mervart L.A., first quarter of XX century		Man and woman of the highest cast.India. The Indians. Early 20th c.		Book seller - Brahman-Vaisnavas.India. The Indians. 20th century.
Sellers and policeman in old shopping arcade.India. The Indians. Snatenkov V. 20th century.		Brahmans of the high castes in South India.India. The Indians. Vasilkov Ya., 1995.		Small seller of sweets.India. The Indians. Snatenkov V., 20th century.
Young married woman from low caste.India. The Indians. Snatenkov V., 20th century.		A married woman from middle caste in textile shop.India. The Indians. Snatenkov V., 20th century.		Pedicabs wating for passengers.India. Snatenkov V.
A man of the "chamara" leather workers caste and an occupational magician.India. Calcutta. The Bengali. 1920.		Father and son of the "dhobi" laundress caste.India. Calcutta. The Bengali.Vasilkov Ya. 1995.		Countrymen in the Taj Mahal.India. Dubyanskaya T.