Caste and Jati

1. Caste in the Great and Little Traditions

2. Dharmashastras

a. Laws of Manu (200 BCE - 100 CE)

b. Two principle ideals: social life should be organized into well-regulated classes; individual life should have definite stages: varna, ashrama, dharma

3. Varna: 4 Varnas

a. Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Shudras

4. Jati

a. Over 2000 jatis

b. Distinctive customs, dress, diet – in one’s nature

c. Pollution and purity: how and how not to mingle

i. Jati ranking, occupation