Jati and Proliferation of Castes - UGC NET History Notes & Material

As urbanisation extended across the sub-continent under the Mauryan empire, the process of proliferation of caste and jatis officially began. Consolidation of this process took place in the early medieval period. Both agrarian and non-agrarian populations, including pastoralists, hunters, gatherers, and forest dwellers, were engulfed in it.

The Portuguese word casta, which does not consider varna but does encode ranks among status groups, is where the word "caste" originates. Every member of society is ranked according to one of the four main categories of caste (or "varna," or "colour"), or by membership in the fifth category of untouchables, which includes outcasts and those who have been socially contaminated. Each caste (jati) in any system should be an endogamous group whose membership is hereditary and lifelong.

A significant portion of the UGC NET History syllabus covers India's social history, and each year's exams include one or two questions from this section. 

In this article, we will examine the following:

• Jati and Proliferation of Castes- Introduction
• Explanation of Jati and Proliferation of Castes

Jati and Proliferation of Castes- Introduction

In ancient India, the society was divided into various social classes known as jati, which were commonly regarded as sub-castes. Every jati performed a particular function in society, such as agriculture, commerce, or education. Caste system was significant in the sense that it classified people's occupation, whom they could marry, and their position in society. The proliferation of castes resulted as the number of jatis grew with time. This is to say that new groups and sub-groups formed, and individuals became separated into smaller and smaller sections. As society evolved and expanded, more and more individuals discovered their own unique roles, making the system increasingly complex. The expansion of jati and the increasing growth of the caste system went a long way in conditioning the way people worked and lived in India for centuries. Nowadays, though the caste system remains influential in certain areas of society, it is no longer so rigid.

Explanation of Jati and Proliferation of Castes

In ancient India, individuals were classified into various social groups known as jati, which defined their positions in society. The number of jatis increased over time, leading to a system referred to as the proliferation of castes.

Jati

Jati means a group or society of individuals who have the same occupation, customs, and laws. Every jati had particular work or job that members were supposed to perform, such as farming, education, or commerce. These societies organized society and ensured individuals knew their positions. Members of the same jati tended to marry within the group, and this served to maintain the customs and occupations that were handed down from generation to generation. Although jati initially depended on occupations, it eventually revolved around social status and kinship.

Proliferation of Castes

The multiplication of castes is the way in which the number of jatis increased over time, making the system of social divisions more complex. As society evolved, new groups emerged, and individuals were grouped into even smaller categories. This made the caste system more intricate and more difficult to comprehend. This expansion of the number of jatis created stricter regulations concerning who was supposed to do which work and with whom they should get married. Although these partitions were significant before, now that these castes are not so strict, in many regions of India, caste has become much less of a hurdle.

Conclusion

Jati was a significant system in ancient India that grouped people into social classes according to their occupation and role. As time passed, the system expanded and became more complicated, resulting in proliferation of castes. This resulted in there being more and more groups, and it was more difficult to keep track of who belonged to what group. Although the caste system was instrumental in structuring society, it also imposed limitations on marriage and labor. Although not as rigid nowadays, the caste system continues to influence certain sections of society.

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Key Takeaways the Article for UGC NET Aspirants Introduction: People were classified into categories known as jati in ancient India, which determined their occupation and position in society. The number of jatis increased over time, giving rise to the proliferation of castes and making society more complicated. Explanation of Jati: Jati is a social class whereby people are assigned the same occupation or role in society, i.e., farmers or teachers. These classes were used to organize society and make everyone know their duties and responsibilities. Explanation of Proliferation of Castes: The multiplication of castes is such that, with time, more and more jatis developed, thus enhancing the caste system. With a growing and developing society, more groups emerged, which complicated the social system.

Jati and Proliferation of Castes

1. What is the origin of the word ‘casta’ as mentioned in the text?

Options. A. Greek 

1. Latin
2. Sanskrit
3. Portuguese

Ans. D. Portuguese