Caste hierarchy
Topic: Gender, Religion and Caste in Politics · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 3 "Gender, Religion and Caste"
Meaning
Caste hierarchy is the ladder-like ranking of all caste groups, from the "highest" at the top to the "lowest" at the bottom. Under it, a person's birth decided their rank, work and dignity. Groups treated as "outcastes" faced untouchability. Several forces are breaking the hierarchy down: economic development, urbanisation, education, the weakening of landlords in villages and occupational mobility (children doing different work from their parents). Articles 15 and 17 of the Constitution ban caste discrimination and untouchability. Still, caste has not disappeared.
Example
Reformers such as Jotiba Phule, Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar and Periyar fought this ranking. Even today, average economic status follows the old ladder. In 1999-2000, 35.9% of rural SCs were below the poverty line, compared with 11.7% of rural Hindu upper castes.
Don't confuse with
- Caste inequality: caste hierarchy is the ranking itself. Caste inequality is the gap in income, wealth and education between castes that remains today.