Social stratification can be defined as the arrangement of groups of individuals in hierarchical positions based on criteria like wealth, prestige, ethnicity, gender, and power. Because of the similarity of their positions in the social structure they develop a consciousness of who they are, what their common problems are, and what should be done to remove these problems. A social class is a group of individuals who have more or less similar wealth.
Important Points
Class: Most modem societies have class-based stratification.
- However many features of traditional stratification may be observed in modem societies such as elements of the caste system and feudalism found in India.
- But with economic development, class-based stratification is becoming increasingly imminent.
Caste: Caste is a much-debated topic in India. The word 'caste refers to the Spanish word 'Casta' which means 'breed' in Spanish.
- In the Indian context, it represents caste and its related social practice.
- The caste system influences the social life of the Indian in several ways, as it assigns ascribed status to its members.
- According to the Rig Veda, the oldest and most important of all the four Vedas, four Varnas are placed in a hierarchical order-the Brahmans, the Kshatriyas, the Vaishyas, and the Shudras.
- The profession of brahmans is that of priests and teachers. The Kshatriyas are warriors and rulers. The Visayas(Vis)are traders and other common people. The Shudras occupy the lowest position in the hierarchy and perform menial tasks.
- According to some historians, there is a fifth Varna, the untouchables, and they are not considered as a part of society. The tribes and people of other religions are also considered outside the Varna system
Gender: The unequal access to resources, opportunities, and rewards, and rights between men and women are legitimized by patriarchy across societies and cultures.
- Status inequality between men and women is not a new phenomenon that is reinforced through patriarchy and its institutions, gendered division of labor, and social institutions like marriage, dowry, property, and inheritance, and subordination.
- Women’s value is defined by their reproductive abilities rather than by their productive activities.
- Bridewealth is considered as compensation to the bride's parents or her kin for the productive and reproductive rights of the bride; dowry as a form of inheritance provides a bride with land and other wealth and helps her to attract a husband.
Religion: Another important aspect of the pluralism of India and at times cause a social conflict is a religion. As is well known, India is home to many religions. Almost all major religions in the world have followers in India.
- These include Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, and several others in small numbers.
- Hindus constitute 79.8% of the population and are present in almost every part of the country.
- Islam is the second most dominant religion, Sikhs, Christians, and Buddhists are comparatively small in numbers yet are an important part of India’s diversity. Sikhs constitute a majority in the state of Punjab, Muslims constitute a majority in Jammu and Kashmir, and have a significant presence in the states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Assam.
- Christians also are spread all over India with a significant population in North Eastern States, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
- At the Social level, in general, there is harmonious co-existence and respect for each other’s religion.
- However, some vested interests particularly for political support, exploit the religious sentiments of the masses to keep them divided. That at times causes conflicts and growth of communalism.
Hence, we conclude that social stratification in India is mainly based on caste, class, religion, and gender.
