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A comment on Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development. Parent comment

Re:Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development by reactspa on Saturday April 16, 2022 @04:39AM (#31050750)
By the way, for anyone interested in reading more, a fascinating read is the chapter on the Hindu Caste System in the book "Tarikh Al Hind" written by Al Biruni, Persian scholar, during his visit to India from 1017 to 1030.

It was written 1,000 years ago, but could have been written 75 years ago. It reads that fresh.

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/digital/collections/cul/text...

The level of oppression of lower castes (described in this book) is unbelievable, and remains partly practiced even today. The biggest problem was that you couldn't escape your caste ("caste" is derived from "cast", something you were locked, or cast, into).

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Re:Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development by naruvimama on Tuesday April 19, 2022 @07:56AM (#31081955)
No, caste is derived from the Portuguese word "Castas" which was widely prevalent in Europe and very rigid as it was from the church.

1. Nobility

2. Clergy

3. Landowners & Merchants

4. Artisans

5. Outcasts - butchers, sanitary workers, undertakers ....

Some European countries still legally protect a lot of family names, which you would have to buy if you need a fancy royal name.

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