Socio-Cultural Dynamics of the Caste System.

This paper presents an analysis of the caste system as a cultural construct. Esteemed social anthropologists and sociologists have perceived caste as a set of cultural beliefs and practices prevalent in Indian society. Caste is traditionally viewed as a cultural system shaped by specific norms and values that dictate the interrelations among individuals. Essentially, the caste system is a codified set of beliefs and practices observed within society. It is posited that a cultural approach to analyzing the caste system yields a deeper understanding. G. S. Ghurye (1932) characterizes caste by six features: segmental division of society, hierarchical structure, dietary and social interaction restrictions, civil and religious rights and disabilities, occupational restrictions, and marriage limitations. The entrenched social hierarchy of the Indian caste system has evolved notably in recent times. While caste is a unique societal stratification in India, this paper investigates its current socio-cultural transformations, focusing on significant cultural practices and processes such as Sanskritization, Westernization, Secularization, Modernization, and Globalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]