| The Hindu caste system
The Roots of War
 There are some good old values and systems that could not stand the test of time and are destined to end up as irrelevant in modern times. A classic example is the much maligned Hindu caste system. It is interesting to study the origin, evolution and the ultimate disrepute and collapse of this system.
There is no mention of anything like the caste system in the ancient Vedic Religion which is considered to be the original source of what is now called the Hindu Religion. The Vedic period dates back to around 5000 B.C. There was no idol worship or the concept of multiple gods and sub gods in the Vedic Religion. On the contrary, since the universe was born out of the Great Fire (Agni) in the aftermath of the 'Big Bang', the ancient seers of Vedic times considered it proper to propitiate and worship Agni which constitutes the principal element of what is called 'Panchabhootham' that includes other key natural elements like air, water, ether and earth.
Agni was symbolic of the form and the supreme power of Brahman, the Creator of the universe and hence Agni worship became the hallmark of Vedic Religion and rituals. It appears as though the ancient founders of the Vedic Religion, who were engrossed in the higher pursuit of knowledge of Brahman showed little or no interest in a mundane subject like the classification of humans on the basis of 'caste' that later assumed a prominent place in the Hindu religious philosophy.
How and when did the caste system become an important feature of Hinduism? It can be said that the caste system was a subsequent addition or adulteration that was introduced in good faith at around 2000 B.C for the sake of social order and social welfare by Sage Manu in what are now known as Manu Smrutis or laws of the Hindu Religion.
 The caste system as conceived by Sage Manu was, no doubt, accepted by all without exception or question for a long time when the population of India was very small, the economy was rudimentary and the government was based on different shades of monarchy. The concept of democracy as we understand it today was unknown. Under these circumstances, the caste system served well as a form of division of labour in which each individual had a role to play according to his mental and physical endowments on a hereditary basis to ensure uninterrupted continuity in the provision of the needed services and goods. The system did work well and for the good of all so long as the economy was small and the wants were limited and could be met without technology of any kind. Therefore, Sage Manu cannot be entirely blamed or condemned for the modern day ills of the caste system.
However, the rapid growth of population and ever expanding economy as a result of the advent of science and technology called for mass production that in turn, demanded a new dynamic type of division of labour in the economy. Machine power had replaced muscle power for increased productivity. The narrow caste system or hereditary division of labour became antiquated and had to be replaced by one that could provide jobs for everyone through education and training. Further, the demise of monarchy and other feudal types of governments followed by democracy and universal franchise led to the irrelevance and unacceptability of the caste system politically, economically and socially. The caste system has become increasingly obnoxious by the fact that the four original castes have mushroomed into 4,000 castes today, and has led to inter and intra caste wars between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots'.
Last but not the least, the caste system has severely undermined the unity of Hindus who stand divided on caste lines, thereby contributing to social, economic and political instability of the country as a whole. In a broad sense, the co-existence of extreme poverty and extreme wealth in India is the root cause of the emergence and growth of modern-day caste system in the Hindu Religion. The speedy eradication of poverty is the surest way of putting an end to the evil of the Hindu caste system.
Desikachary Vembar
E-Mail: desikacharyv@hotmail.com
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