Table of Contents
How many religions and castes are there in India?
There are six religions in India which have been awarded “National minority” status—Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and Zoroastrians (Parsis). The following is a breakdown of India’s religious communities: Characteristics of religious groups.
What religion is the Indian caste system?
Hinduism
Hinduism reinforced a strict social hierarchy called a caste system that made it nearly impossible for people to move outside of their social station. Emperors during the Gupta empire used Hinduism as a unifying religion and focused on Hinduism as a means for personal salvation.
How many castes are there in the Hindu caste system?
Modern Hindu Caste System: At present in India, there are more than 2800 castes and subcastes. In Vedic times, there were only four castes. So between the period of about 3500 years, Hindus have thrown out the original caste system and have evolved now to a new form of the caste system.
Why is the caste system a curse to the Hindu society?
The Hindu caste system which was created originally for systemic spiritual and social growth of people has now become a curse to the Hindu society because of its misinterpretation, ignorance, and disadvantages taken by some sections of society. Some people blame the current form of the caste system on Hinduism, which is absolutely wrong.
Is the caste system completely eradicated in India?
But unfortunately, the caste system is not totally eradicated, especially in rural areas where people still consider the caste of a person as a primary factor. The conditions are changing fast. By the efforts of the Indian government and social organizations, rural India is also changing.
What is an example of a subcaste in Hinduism?
For example, In Brahmins, there are subcastes like Chitpavana Brahmins, Deshastha Brahmin, Kayastha Brahmin, Vaishnava Brahmins, Kokanastha Brahmins, and a lot. When a baby is born in a Hindu family, he/she is not only a Hindu but is also attached to a particular caste and subcaste, which his/her family is from.