Caste System In Ancient India

The different major castes are frequently referred to in the ancient Indian texts. The four classes were the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas, the Vaishyas, and the Shudras. Mesopotamian civilization was much more stratified than the Egyptian, but there was no religious element as in the caste system of India, and kings were not considered Gods. Social status was apparently determined by wealth. At the top of the social scale were kings and noblemen. At the bottom were slaves, normally prisoners of war, criminals, or debtors who sold themselves into slavery. The caste system was determined by birth instead of wealth. It was believed to be necessary to preserve stability in society. Although some social mobility was possible, it was generally unlikely. One was born and died within his caste. …show more content…
Wealth rather than religion determined Mesopotamian status, and the Pharaoh in Egypt, was considered a god on earth. Today, in India, the caste structure has undergone a revolutionary change. While castes are not as obvious as they used to be in cities, where the tech boom has created many jobs, they stand out in rural communities. Many landowners tend to take advantage of those who belong to lower castes by overcharging for rent. In politics, many Indians vote according to a candidate's caste. For example, more than half of the residents of Bangalore, which has a well-educated population, say they vote primarily based on a politician's caste. Genetically, the caste system has had a tremendous effect on genetics. Intermarriage in India began to drop off significantly about 2,000 years ago. As a result, modern Indians face an array of genetic-specific health