Are there castes in modern India? The untouchable caste in India: description, history and interesting facts

15.06.2019

Hello dear readers my blog! In this article, I decided to talk about who the Brahmins are, the characteristics of their life and responsibilities, as well as the castes and varnas of India. Hope this will give you a chance to plunge into a rich past and a wonderful future this country where I often visit and sometimes write my travel notes or reports. One of the latest - if you are interested in seeing India through my eyes, then watch the video in the specified publication.

are they brahmins?

Some words from history

In ancient India there was a division into classes of society . I previously wrote about this in an article -. Brahman served the temple, kshatriya dedicated all the life of the army and military business and most often these were the rulers of the country, and the Vaishya traded and was engaged in various crafts. On the last step of this ladder was a sudra - a servant or hired worker, who served the upper classes of society, and they in turn took care of him.

Varna Brahmins

Varna - social status, was determined by the qualities of a person, but most often it was also determined by birth. The varna system has existed since the very beginning of creation and this can be read in the Bhagavad Gita as it is:

Bg 4.13

catur-varnyam maya srstam

guna-karma-vibhagasah

tasya kartaram api mam

viddhy akartaram avyayam

According to the three modes of material nature and their associated activities, I have divided human society into four estates. But know that although I am the creator of this system, I Myself, being unchangeable, am not involved in any activity.

Brahmin caste

At a later time, a specific system of dividing society into castes arose. Caste it is a degenerated varna system. And she determined the person’s occupation, explained who each member was only based on birth and did not take into account the qualities of a person. Having been born into a certain caste, a person was forced to be in this social environment all his life.

Separately from everyone else, there were untouchables; these included tanners and dog eaters (chandalas), who even with their presence could defile others.

Women were exclusively involved in housework and children. It is worth noting that the cow also occupied a special place in society, because she was the breadwinner of the family.

Gradual revolution of the concept

In the modern world, brahmanas are members of the highest varna of the Indian system of social segregation, something like our clergy operating in churches and monasteries.

But initially, brahmins were religious priests responsible for conducting rituals in temples. They spoke Sanskrit, studied the Vedas by heart and passed on this invaluable knowledge from generation to generation completely unchanged. In Ancient India, they were considered the personification of the highest spiritual power in human form.

What are the main duties of a brahmana

A high position in society required appropriate behavior and following many rules. Brahmins or Brahmins, as they are sometimes called, it was necessary to strictly adhere to one’s destiny and perform 6 duties, which we can determine from the sacred scriptures, where it is precisely stated what these sages did.

6 duties of brahmins

Sanskrit:

Pathana-pathana, yajana-yajna dana-pratigrah

  1. The study of the Vedas is the basis of a brahmana's employment and the first rule.
  2. The next type of activity is the transfer of acquired and mastered knowledge to followers and everyone who needed it.
  3. Also a brahmana is obliged worship and perform yajnas (rituals) from myself personally to God.
  4. Teach worship and conduct yajnas (sacrifice) God from others, since only he is trained in all the sacraments and subtleties of this ritual.
  5. Moreover, another main activity was that he needed to accept gifts from others.
  6. And finally, distribute donations to everyone in need along with your blessings.

From the very early years, boys from brahmin families went to the school of the spiritual teacher, gurukula. There, under the guidance of a guru, they studied all the intricacies of Vedic philosophy and comprehended the spiritual science of serving God, Bhagavata Dharma.

The unique term that best defines the meaning of the service of a brahmana is dharma. It implies the totality of all the rules that ensure a life in the service of God.

Indian philosophy explains it as the only way to achieve highest perfection. They strictly and strictly fulfilled their religious duty, supporting moral and spiritual foundations at a high level.

Enviable rights and Brahmin privileges

The authority of the Brahmins was limitless and unquestioning. For example in In Vedic society, the death penalty could be imposed for some types of serious crimes. But the death penalty was never imposed on Brahmins, even if they committed such acts.

They were expelled from society and the country and for them this was the most severe punishment. Laws acted on them in a completely different way, in contrast to severe punishments, intended for other varnas. Members of this varna had many privileges specified in legislative acts

The Brahmins had a direct influence on the ruler, as they possessed deep wisdom and impartiality.A separate Brahmin court was convened under the king,who gave advice to the king, and the king followed them unquestioningly.

One of bright examples this is the brahmana Chanakya pandit. He was an adviser to the king and did not receive any salary. Arguing this by saying that if he receives money from the king, he will become dependent on him and will not be able to give fair advice.

Invaluable knowledge proven over thousands of years

Indians treat the Vedic scriptures with special reverence, trying to follow them to the letter. Of course, nowadays all this is gradually being lost and forgotten.

The Vedas, in particular the Upanishads, are the source from which the teachings of the Brahmins originate. It is from the Vedas that they draw knowledge about the spiritual essence of man, which is called jiva or atman.

Also called BrahmanThe impersonal aspect of the Lord, the Absolute. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, is the source of this impersonal brahmana, The original beginning of all things, eternal and unchangeable, what was in the beginning and will remain forever. This is also the impersonal aspect of the absolute called nirguna, that is, without any qualities . It should be understood that nirguna brahmana does not have material qualities, not at all. Because the Absolute Truth is the Supreme Brahman, God, Krishna, and he is the source of all the qualities that are found in him.

The only onethe way to comprehend the Absolute Truth is shabda - the process of cognition, hearingfrom a reputable source.

By studying the Vedas throughout their lives and fulfilling all the injunctions of these sacred books, brahmins wish to achieve God, realize him and serve him. Impersonalists want impersonal liberation, moksha or nirvana.

Why is the highest varna so revered?

Adherents of the lower castes especially revered the priests for the wisdom they spread throughout the world. Since brahmanas, according to the texts of the shastras, were forbidden to earn a living by hired labor, people brought them everything they needed, fully providing them with both food and clothing.

By definition, Brahmins led a fairly simple and ascetic lifestyle. Their main food is vegetarian food, grains, beans, fruits, vegetables and dairy products. The color of a brahman's clothing depended on what spiritual structure they belonged to. Sanyasi, monks, renounced the world wore orange clothes (saffron), family ones wore white.

All the people visited temple to receive darshan - an opportunity to turn to the deity, to reverently contemplate him. But only brahmins could perform rituals in temples; this was their exclusive right.

Also ordinary people could learn about the texts of the Vedas and all the knowledge accumulated in them only from brahmanas. They talked about the spiritual and material world, knew how to interpret the process of evolution, and showed man the path that would lead him to perfection.

Is it possible become a brahmin our time?

In our period in India, division into castes is prohibited by the constitution, but the system itself is so firmly established in the minds of the population that it cannot be eradicated. Now the meaning of the varn distribution has changed a little, strict rules have disappeared, only traditions remain.

If initially a brahmana was determined by qualities, and anyone who corresponded to them could become one, for example which for many years he diligently adhered to the sacred precepts, meditated and studied spiritual development, then now these rules have changed somewhat.

The varna system degenerated into a caste system, and Brahmins were determined only by birth, as I wrote about above.

But in our time, it is also possible to obtain a Brahmanical title if you comply with all the canons of the scriptures, which prescribe a set of rules for a Brahman. Of course, in India these prejudices about caste and birthright still reign in full force. Such caste Brahmins claim their exclusive superiority and they never recognize people from other classes as their equals. But these are just prejudices that do not find response in the scriptures.

Nothingdoes not mean birth, appearance, or wealth. The main thing is the spiritual dignity of a personand its qualities.

One of the great saints and reformers of Indian spirituality, Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, very zealously fought and won disputes with the so-called caste brahmins, smashing to smithereens their arguments that they had the right to claim their position only by birth.

Dear readers! I hope this article slightly lifted the veil of the amazing and beloved culture of Vedic India and you can extract something valuable and interesting for yourself. Subscribe and don't forget

The first castes appeared in India at the stage of state formation. About one and a half thousand years BC, the first settlers appeared on the territory of modern India. They were divided into four classes. Much later, called varnas, this word, literally translated from Sanskrit, means color. The word caste itself carries a semantic concept as a pure breed.

Belonging to some community of people in power has always been highly valued among all peoples. It’s just that in ancient times, intertwined with Indian religion, this concept acquired the status of an unshakable law. At the very beginning, these were brahmins, priests, in their hands was the right to interpret the word of God. Thanks to this, this caste occupied the most high position. Because above them there was only a divine essence with which only they could communicate. Any word they said was law and was not subject to discussion. Next came the kshatriya warriors. Very numerous and powerful caste of India. At all times and among all peoples, professional military men have participated in government. Only on the territory of India did they become a separate group of people who passed on their skills and traditions.

How people's lives differ in different parts of India, read more:.

The caste was so closed that for many centuries ordinary people could not even imagine becoming a soldier. Such heresy was punishable by death. Vaishyas included traders, farmers, and cattle breeders. This caste was also numerous, but the people who were part of it did not have any political influence, since representatives of the highest castes of India, at any moment, could deprive them of all their property, home, family, simply by saying that it pleases the gods. Shudra servant worker. The most numerous and powerless caste, the people who belonged to it were actually equated to the level of animals. Moreover, some animals in India lived much better because they had sacred status.

Further divisions into castes in India

Later, after quite a long time has passed. The first castes began to be divided into smaller ones, with even more strict assignment of certain privileges and rights to a certain group of people. Religion played a big role in this division. In Hinduism, it is believed that after death, the soul can be reincarnated into a person more high caste india, if he strictly observes all the rules of this division during his lifetime. If not, he will be reborn into a lower caste. It was impossible to leave the caste limit; even if a person had some excellent qualities, he could not rise during his lifetime.

As time passed, this system of building society only became stronger. Neither the conquest of the people by the Mughals, who brought with them the Muslim religion, nor the later conquest by the British, could shake the very foundations of this system. The very nature of caste seems quite logical. If the family is engaged in farming, then the children will do the same. Only the Indians abolished the very possibility of making decisions in this issue, everything is decided only by birth. Where you were born is what you will do. To the main four, another one was added, the untouchables. This is the lowest caste. It is believed that communication with members of this caste can pollute anyone, especially members of the higher castes. Therefore, they never directly communicated with representatives of the untouchables.

Modern caste division

In modern India there are huge amount caste Priests, warriors, merchants and even untouchables have their own division. It is quite difficult to understand all these intricacies. Yes, with the advent of the possibility of leaving the country, young people are increasingly beginning to think about the appropriateness of this order of things. But in the provinces in the interior of the country these laws are treated very jealously. And at the state level, this tradition is supported by the government of the country. There is a Constitutional Table of Castes. So, this is not medieval savagery and a relic of the past, but an absolutely real, state structure. Each state has its own division into castes. No matter how visitors feel about it, this whole cumbersome mechanism works. Perfectly fulfilling its purpose.

It should be noted, since modern India is a democratic state, all freedom rights associated with obtaining Caste certificates are very strictly observed, for the maintenance of lower castes are provided various ways state support. Even to the point of setting quotas for special seats in parliament. Currently, all peoples living in India recognize the caste division and follow this tradition. Even the Spanish and British priests who remained on the territory of the state after the departure of the colonialists created their own Indian caste system and stick to it. This emphasizes that with the right, competent approach, any system of government can work, no matter how conservative and orthodox it may look in the eyes of visitors. In modern India, a change of castes has become possible. It is enough for one or several families to change their occupation and that’s it, a new caste is ready. In modern reality, especially in large industrial cities, such changes are treated quite loyally.

Before traveling to India, you should definitely familiarize yourself with cultural characteristics countries, more details: .

The Untouchables

This is a completely separate category of people. It is considered the lowest, people whose souls sinned greatly in the previous incarnation go there. But even this last rung of India's social ladder has its divisions. At the very top there are working people or those who have some kind of craft. For example, hairdressers or garbage collectors. The bottom of this staircase is occupied by petty thieves who make their living by stealing small livestock. The most mysterious thing in this hierarchy is the group of hijras; it includes representatives of any sexual minorities. It is amazing that representatives of these seemingly dregs of society are invited to weddings and births of children. They are often felt in numerous church ceremonies. But the worst thing in India is considered to be a person without a caste, even of the lowest rank. Such people are called pariahs here. These are people born from other pariahs or as a result of inter-caste marriages and not recognized by one of the castes. More recently, you could become a pariah simply by touching one of them.

Indian castes, video:

Many Europeans, Americans, as well as our compatriots believe that Eastern culture is much more sublime and humane than the values ​​of the pragmatic Western world. However, they forget that it was in India that one of the harshest forms of social stratification arose - caste, dooming millions of people and their descendants to a lifelong vegetation in poverty and lawlessness, while a select minority is surrounded by honor and has access to all the benefits of civilization.

The division into castes (or, as they are called in India, “varnas”) arose during the era of the decomposition of the primitive communal system, when property inequality appeared. The first written mention of the caste system dates back to the middle of the 2nd millennium BC. e. The Rig Veda talks about the emergence of four varnas that exist in India to this day:

  • Brahmins are a priestly caste. Nowadays, Brahmins are also engaged in the performance of religious rites, they are often officials or teachers;
  • Kshatriyas are a warrior caste. Today kshatriyas not only serve in the army and police, but also occupy important places in public administration;
  • Vaishyas are farmers and traders. Many vaishyas could even surpass the representatives of the upper castes in wealth and influence. In modern India, Vaishyas continue to be involved in trade and agriculture, as well as credit and banking operations;
  • Shudras are a semi-subordinate caste of peasants and workers, usually in the service of representatives of the higher castes. Despite the low prestige of this caste, many Shudras were able to accumulate substantial wealth and own large tracts of land.

There is also separate group population, including everyone who is not included in the above four castes - untouchables or Dalits. Anthropologists and historians believe that the untouchable caste arose during the Aryan conquest of India (XII-VII centuries BC). The conquerors who came to the new lands wanted to keep the local Dravidian peoples subordinate, so they came up with a social system in which the aborigines could not normally integrate into society and occupy any significant position in it. Thus, all the Aryan invaders became members of one caste or another (depending on their occupation), and all the conquered were declared untouchable. Dalits did the dirtiest work. They tanned leather, removed dead animals from the streets, and cleaned toilets. They were strictly forbidden to enter the yards of other castes or use public wells. Although everyone despised the untouchables, these people also had a certain power. It was believed that an untouchable could defile a person from a higher caste. Such defilement was most dangerous for a brahmana. The mere touch of a Dalit to a Brahmin's clothing meant to the latter for many years trying to clear your karma.

The life of a representative of each varna is clearly regulated. Caste determines what clothes a person can wear, what he can eat, and how he should communicate with others. Representatives of different castes, with rare exceptions, are prohibited from marrying each other. Children born into a certain caste can no longer change their social position. Officially, a transition from one caste to another is possible only with a decrease in status. It is impossible to move to a more prestigious caste. However, many Indians resort to tricks that allow them to go beyond the strict varna system. Firstly, since each caste has its own set of surnames, it is possible to bribe an official and take a high-caste surname. Secondly, you can abandon Hinduism and accept a religion where there is no caste division. Some Hindus then return to Hinduism again, but at the same time claim that before the change of religion they were Brahmins or Kshatriyas.

Religious explanation for human inequality

The caste system stems from religious ideas Hindus. According to the Rig Veda, the entire cosmos was created from the body of the first man Purusha. Purusha was sacrificed by the gods to create the world. From individual parts his bodies arose: earth, air, wind and heavenly bodies. Moreover, Purusha gave rise to the entire human race. From his mouth arose the Brahmins, from his arms the Kshatriyas, from his thighs the Vaishyas, and from his feet the Shudras.

The doctrine of reincarnation is also aimed at preserving the social inequality that exists in India. According to Hindu beliefs, a person who strictly observes all the rules of his caste can be reborn after death in the body of a representative of a higher varna.

Caste divisions today

Despite the fact that to Westerners the division into castes seems cruel and undemocratic, in modern India castes not only have not disappeared, but have become more structured. Each caste today is divided into additional subgroups - jati. In total there are more than 80 different jatis. Although there are no documents that would indicate a person’s belonging to one or another varna, caste division is strictly protected by religion and traditions.

The largest caste in modern India are the untouchables - about 1/5 of the country's total population. Dalits live in special ghettos where unemployment and crime are rampant. Untouchables cannot receive proper education or quality medical care. They are not allowed to enter shops, pharmacies, hospitals, temples and public transport used by members of other castes. Just like thousands of years ago, these people do the dirtiest and hardest work.

Attempts to establish social equality were made by many Indian civil rights activists, including Mahatma Gandhi. They were able to ensure that the Indian Constitution recognized the equality of untouchables with representatives of other castes, however, in fact, the attitude towards Dalits in modern India remains the same as 4 thousand years ago. The courts are lenient towards criminals who commit unlawful acts against untouchables, Dalits receive lower salaries compared to members of other castes.

Despite the fact that India today is open to Western liberal ideas, the untouchables have never dared to rebel. The centuries-old habit of being submissive and the fear of karmic contamination prevent these people from starting the fight for freedom and equality.

“India is a modern state in which there is no place for discrimination and inequality,” Indian politicians speak from the stands. “Caste system? We live in the 21st century! Any form of discrimination based on caste is a thing of the past,” public figures broadcast on talk shows. Even local villagers, when asked whether the caste system is still alive, answer at length: “it’s not like that anymore.”

Having seen enough of it up close, I set myself the task of observing and drawing up own opinion: whether the caste system of India remains only in textbooks or on paper, or lives on, disguised and hidden.

Village children from different castes play together.

As a result, having lived in India for 5 months, I can say with confidence:

  1. The caste system exists in Indian state and today. People are given official documents that reflect their caste.
  2. Huge efforts by politicians, PR people, and television are aimed at eradicating discrimination based on caste.
  3. In society, the caste system has been preserved and lives happily ever after. Elements of discrimination are still present. Of course, it is far from being in the same form as before, but still. “Caste is not important these days,” say Indians with their naive eyes wide open. And their daily actions confirm the opposite.

A little theory. What is the caste system.

In India, there are 4 main castes that depict the human body. Russians love to argue about caste, varna, what is what. I do not pretend to be a scientific treatise and will use the terminology that is used by “ordinary” Indians with whom I communicated on the issue. They use castes and podcasts in the English version. Jati - in living Hindi used. If they want to know a person's caste, they only ask what his jati is. And if they say where he is from, they usually give his last name. The caste is clear to everyone based on the last name. When asked what varna is, ordinary Indians could not answer me; they did not even understand this word. For them it is ancient and unused.

1st caste – head. Brahmins. Clergy (priests), thinkers, scientists, doctors.

A married couple from the Brahmin caste.

2nd caste – shoulders and arms. Kshatriyas. Warriors, police, rulers, organizers, administrators, landowners.

3rd caste – torso or belly. Vaishya. Farmers, artisans, traders.

Furniture makers. 3rd caste.

4th caste – legs. Shudras. Servants, cleaners. The Indians call them Untouchable - untouchables. They can both perform the lowest jobs and occupy high positions - thanks to the efforts of the government.

Within the castes are divided into large number podcasts, which are arranged in a hierarchical order relative to each other. There are several thousand podcasts in India.

No one in Khajuraho could really tell me what the difference is between the subcastes within the 1st and 2nd castes, and what, more specifically, is their purpose. Today, only the level is clear – who is higher and who is lower relative to each other.

With the 3rd and 4th caste it is more transparent. People determine the purpose of the caste directly by their last name. Haircut, sewing, cooking, making sweets, fishing, making furniture, herding goats - examples of podcast 3. Tanning leather, removing dead animals, cremating bodies, cleaning sewers are examples of the 4th caste subcaste.

A child from the cleaner caste is the 4th.

So what has been preserved from caste systems in our time, and what has sunk into oblivion?

I am sharing my observations of the lives of the people of Madhya Pradesh. Residents of advanced cities - I know what’s wrong with you :) You are already much closer to the west. But in our wilderness it’s the way I write :)

Manifestations of the caste system that have disappeared or changed today.

  1. Earlier settlements were built on the principle of division of castes. Each of the 4 castes had their own streets, square, temples, etc. Today, in some places there are communities, and in others they are mixed. This doesn't bother anyone. Only a few villages have retained their original organization, with a clear division of territory. For example, in .

Old village of Khajuraho. Retained the organization of streets according to castes.

  1. All children have equal opportunities to receive an education. The issue may be money, but not caste.

A boy grazes buffaloes at sunset and learns a lesson from a notebook.

  1. All people have the opportunity to get a job in government agencies or large companies. People belonging to lower castes are given quotas, jobs, etc. God forbid they start talking about discrimination. When entering university or work, the lower castes are generally in chocolate. For example, the passing mark for a Kshatriya may be 75, and for the same place for a Shudra it may be 40.
  2. Unlike the old days, a profession is often chosen not according to caste, but as it turns out. Take our restaurant workers, for example. The one who has to sew clothes and the fisherman work as cooks, one waiter is from the washerwoman caste, and the second is from the kshatriya caste of warriors. The cleaner is called to be a cleaner - he is from the 4th caste - Shudra, but his younger brother already washes only the floor, but not the toilet, and goes to school. His family hopes for a bright future for him. There are several teachers in our family (kshatriyas), although traditionally this is the domain of the brahmins. And one aunt sews professionally (one of the 3rd caste subcastes does this). My husband's brother is studying to become an engineer. Grandfather dreams of when someone will go to work in the police or army. But so far no one has gathered.
  3. Some things were forbidden for castes. For example, the consumption of meat and alcohol by the first caste - Brahmins. Now many Brahmins have forgotten the behests of their ancestors and eat whatever they want. At the same time, society condemns this, very strongly, but they still drink and eat meat.
  4. Today people are friends regardless of caste. They can sit together, communicate, play. Previously this was impossible.
  5. Government organizations - such as schools, universities, hospitals - are mixed. Any person has the right to come there, no matter how some wrinkle their noses.

Evidence of the existence of a caste system.

  1. The untouchables are the sudras. In cities and the state they are protected, but in the outback they are considered untouchable. In a village, a Shudra will not enter the house of representatives of higher castes, or will only touch certain objects. If he is given a glass of water, then it is thrown away. If someone touches a sudra, he will go and take a shower. As an example, our uncle has a gym. It is located in rented premises. 3 representatives of the 4th caste came to my uncle. He said, of course, do it. But the Brahman, the owner of the house, said - no, I don’t allow untouchables to be in my house. I had to refuse them.
  2. A very clear proof of the viability of the caste system is marriages. Most weddings in India today are organized by parents. This is the so-called arranged-marriage. Parents are looking for a groom for their daughter. So, the first thing they look at when choosing him is his caste. IN major cities There are exceptions when young people from modern families finds each other for love and gets married to the sighs of their parents (or simply runs away). But if the parents themselves are looking for a groom, then only in accordance with their caste.
  3. We have 20,000 people in Khajuraho. At the same time, no matter who I ask about - what caste they are from, they will definitely answer me. If a person is known a little, then his caste is also known. At a minimum, the top one is 1,2,3 or 4, and very often they also know the podcast - where it is inside. People easily say who is taller than whom and by how many steps, how castes relate to each other.
  4. The arrogance of people from the highest castes - 1st and 2nd - is very noticeable. Brahmins are calm, but periodically express slight contempt and disgust. If a representative of a lower caste or a Dalit works as a cashier at a railway station, no one will wonder what caste he belongs to. But if he lives in the same village as a Brahmin, and everyone knows what caste he is from, the Brahmin will not touch him or take anything. Kshatriyas are outright bullies and braggarts. They playfully bully representatives of lower castes, command them, and they just giggle stupidly, but don’t answer anything.

Representative of the 2nd caste - Kshatriyas.

  1. Many representatives of the 3rd and 4th castes show demonstrative respect to people from the 1st and 2nd. They call the Brahmins Maraj, and the Kshatriyas Raja or Dau (patron, protector, elder brother in Bhundelkhand). They fold their hands in namaste to the level of their heads when they greet, and in response they only deign to nod their heads. They often jump out of their chair when the upper caste approaches. And, the worst thing is, they periodically try to touch their feet. I have already written that in India, when people say hello or during important holidays, they can touch their feet. Mostly they do this with their family. Brahmins also touch their feet in the temple or during a ceremony. So, some individuals strive to touch the feet of people of a higher caste. This used to be common, but now, in my opinion, it looks ingratiating. It's especially unpleasant when old man runs to touch the young man’s feet to show him respect. By the way, the 4th caste, as previously oppressed and now actively defended, behaves more boldly. Representatives of the 3rd caste behave respectfully and are happy to serve, but the cleaner may snap at you. It’s very funny to watch, again, using the example of a restaurant, how employees, without hesitation, scold each other. At the same time, it takes a lot of effort for everyone to reprimand the cleaner, and they try to shift this mission onto me. He always listens to me, looking with delight with wide open eyes. If others have the opportunity to communicate with whites - this is a tourist place, then the Shudras rarely manage to do this, and they remained in awe of us.
  2. Despite the fact that representatives of different castes spend time together, as I wrote earlier (point 6 of the last block), inequality is still felt. Representatives of the 1st and 2nd castes communicate with each other as equals. And towards others they allow themselves more impudence. If something needs to be done, the one with the lower caste will immediately blow himself up. Even between friends these marajs and daws are constantly heard. It happens that parents may prohibit their children from making friends with representatives of more low castes. Much, of course, depends on upbringing. What is more clearly expressed on the street, in an institute, for example, is no longer noticeable - here everyone usually communicates on equal terms and with respect.

Children of farmers - 3rd caste.

  1. Above I wrote about equals and even best conditions for low castes upon admission to government work or to large companies. However, this does not work in small towns and villages. I asked my husband whether he could hire a Shudra as a cook. He thought for a long time and said, after all, no. No matter how great the cook is, this is not possible. People won't come and the restaurant will have a bad reputation. The same applies to hairdressing salons, sewing shops, etc. Therefore, for those who want to get to the top, the only way is to leave their native places. To a place where there are no friends.

In conclusion, I want to say about the new caste that rules the world. And in India too. This is the money caste. Everyone will remember about a poor kshatriya that he is a kshatriya, but they will never show as much respect as a rich kshatriya. It saddens me to see how educated but poor Brahmins are sometimes favored and humiliated in front of those who have money. A Sudra who has become rich will move in a “higher,” so to speak, society. But he will never receive the same respect as the Brahmins. People will run to him to touch his feet, and behind his back they will remember that he is... What is happening now in India is probably very similar to the slow dying of the European high society, when wealthy Americans and local merchants slowly entered it. The lords first resisted, then secretly slandered, and in the end they completely became history.

Do you want to see the country in all its glory, but haven’t decided what to see in Ukraine? Discover is designed to make your dream of the perfect trip come true! Here you will learn that a ski resort can be found hundreds of kilometers from the Carpathians, and in the heart of industrial cities there are unique natural sites. It's time to get acquainted with Ukraine!

Typically, a trip begins with planning. And the most exciting part of it is the search interesting places which are a must visit. And how disappointing it is to later find out that some attraction was left without your attention. So that you don’t miss a single ancient castle or fashionable art object, we have collected them all on one map. Choose what you like and quickly enter the coordinates into your navigator!

Wondering where to go in Ukraine? We are sure that there are thousands of places in our country that you can’t help but fall in love with! Which of them to visit depends only on whether you plan active recreation, shopping, or want to enjoy natural sites. Just use the appropriate filter and we will show you the sights of Ukraine that will make you immediately start packing your bags. Here you will not only read interesting information about a museum or fortress, but also learn useful life hacks from experienced travelers.

Are you not a fan of excursions to historical places and enjoy the rush of adrenaline in your blood? In the "active recreation" section you will find what you need: ski resorts and yacht clubs, kayaking schools and rope parks are waiting for you!

The impression of a trip largely depends on the infrastructure. Therefore, we advise you to decide in advance where you will live and eat. On our website you can get acquainted with the best hotels, hostels and recreation centers, plan dinner in a luxurious restaurant or a stylish city cafe.

We believe that in the near future there will be no places in our country that are inaccessible to special people with health problems. Taking care of your comfort, we have provided additional filters, thanks to which you can find out whether a certain building is equipped for people in wheelchairs and those with hearing or vision problems.

And now, when all the must-see locations have been identified, all that remains is to create your own route by simply clicking on the “add to trip” icon. Why do this? This way, everything you need will be on your personal card, and the tools Google Maps will automatically calculate the length of the route and the approximate travel time. Travel and enjoy life with Discover!