A complex society
The traveler who tries to understand how the daily life of the locals works is most often baffled by so many principles and rules that differ depending on who he is talking to and where he is. Indian society is so complex and multifaceted that it is difficult to establish common principles of life. If there is one concept that intrigues and still fascinates Westerners, it is the caste system, which is extremely difficult to grasp. The notion of family holds a preponderant place in the society. Economic disparities, religious affiliation, occupation, gender, ethnicity or even the area of residence are all elements that determine the destiny of the individual.
Caste system
Often incomprehensible and impenetrable for foreigners, the caste system is a complex Indian specificity, which is still relevant in the country. Indeed, and contrary to popular belief, the caste system has not been officially abolished, despite all the efforts made by successive governments in this direction. However, discrimination against lower castes is illegal under the law of Article 15 of the Constitution. People from the lowest castes have great difficulty in gaining access to higher education and "noble" occupations. Caste hierarchizes society, with each caste having to perform the task corresponding to its rank. The level of "purity" of a caste is paramount. Certain tasks can only be performed by members of a specific caste, for example any activity related to death is performed by the lowest castes. On the other hand, a member of one caste will not usually share a meal with a member of a lower caste. Caste is generally hereditary and immutable, and inter-caste marriages are still very rare today. The concept of caste is not exclusively Hindu; it is widespread throughout Indian society and in all religions. Two factors contributed to the establishment and development of this system: on the one hand, the respect and application of the texts of the Rig Veda, one of the four great writings of Hinduism, and on the other hand, the division of the Indian population into different classes by the British colonists for political purposes. A new framework emerges in modern India: castes according to socio-professional categories, embracing Western social class theories.
Hinduism. The concept of castes appears first in the Vedic texts that founded the Hindu religion, the Rig Veda. This system divides the individuals according to their rank(varna) in the society: the varnas. Thus, at the top of the pyramid we find the Brahmans, the priests who ensure the cohesion of the society through a common religion, then the kshatriyas, which include the warriors but also the rulers and the intellectuals. Then comes the vaishyas, which were once the rich landowners and farmers, but which nowadays include craftsmen, traders and farmers. The shudras represent the caste of the working classes and employees who were previously mixed or associated with the indigenous populations(adivasi). Finally, at the bottom of the pyramid are the "outcasts", those who do not belong to any of the above groups. These are the famous "untouchables". Nowadays they are called dalits, the term "untouchables" having a much too negative connotation.
The British legacy. The British East India Company carried out a first census on the whole territory in 1872 which classified the different layers of the population according to the socio-professional and religious category of the individuals: the jatis. For many, this helped to rigidify the caste system in India, which had previously been a more vague notion. The British redefined the boundaries between castes to benefit their politics. Many British rulers had formed coalitions with kings, princes or priests who were in power at the time. This discrimination allowed the British to divide the society to better rule... This complex set of castes is superimposed on those of the varnas. There are thousands of jatis, classified according to religious affiliation, community membership, trade...
The new castes. Social disparities in India are extreme and the distribution of socio-economic classes has created "modern" castes that differentiate the rich from the poor, the educated from the ignorant, the urban from the rural. Thus, the use of the English language is used as an external sign of wealth by the wealthy classes, whose younger generations even neglect to learn their mother tongue (Hindi, Maharathi...).
Family
Structure. Family is the most important value in India. The members of a family usually live in the same household, which can have up to 5 different generations. The traditional Indian family has a patriarchal structure: the father is the head of the family and the undisputed authority figure. And, although he usually consults his wife, he is the one who decides on every important family decision (marriage, education, etc.). The eldest son is the heir to the family duties and will have to take care of the older members of the family. He usually takes over his father's professional activity. The main role of a wife is to give a son to her husband in order to ensure family continuity. The birth of a daughter is always welcomed, but the future problem of dowry may cloud this feeling. Respect for elders is a very strong value in India and a family must welcome and provide for its elders (parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts). Thus, an Indian household can accommodate a dozen people under the same roof. In wealthy urban families with a high level of education, the roles evolve and there is a more consistent parity between spouses.
Marriage. Marriage is the most important event in the life of an Indian man and woman. It is usually the parents who take care of finding a husband or wife for their children. The choice is made according to various criteria: religion, caste, family reputation, socio-professional position, level of education... An astrologer is also consulted to make sure that the person chosen is the right one and to find a suitable date for the ceremony. Arranged marriages are still very common in the country, especially in rural and poor areas. Child marriages are forbidden and non-existent in South India. The ceremonies are the occasion of monumental celebrations. The bride's family organizes the event and takes care of most of the expenses of the ceremony (accommodation for the guests, food, gifts?). Considerable sums of money are invested to enhance the status of the bride and her family. The groom's family takes care of the band rental and offers gifts to the bride and her family, but the amount of money invested is much lower than the one invested by the bride's family. Indeed, the bride must also pay the dowry required by the groom's family. The higher the social status or the caste, the higher the amount required. This practice tends to disappear in the wealthy and "westernized" environments. Weddings involve the participation of all family members, with a significant number of guests. The ceremony is a colorful celebration where food, music and religious rituals follow one another. Once the ceremony is over, the bride joins the groom's family to live with them. This is the beginning of a new life, and she will have to acclimate to her husband, whom she usually knows very little, if at all, and to her new family. You may have the opportunity to attend an Indian wedding during your stay, as it is not uncommon for a family to invite travelers to participate in the festivities.
Consequent disparities
India is undoubtedly one of the most disparate countries in the world. Access to education and wealth varies considerably depending on the caste and the family from which one comes. Class distinctions are abysmal, and the rich rub shoulders with the poor on a daily basis. In the cities, it is common to see a well-to-do man in a luxury car passing by hungry beggars, and in rural areas large estates are found next to shabby dwellings built with makeshift materials.
Education. In the past, young Indians were educated in a gurukul, a place designed to teach a range of subjects, from religious rites to mathematics to Sanskrit. In the early 19th century, education was modernized under the impetus of the British. It was not until 2010 that school became compulsory and free for children between the ages of 6 and 14. The inequalities between public and private schools are considerable. To counter this phenomenon, the law requires private schools to have at least 25% of their students from disadvantaged families. However, some children are still not enrolled. The cost of schooling (uniforms, transportation, school supplies) is a burden for the poorest families, and a child in school represents a loss of labor.
Health. Access to health care is a problem for many Indians. There is a sharp difference between the public sector and the private sector, which alone owns 90% of the country's hospitals. Wealthier families can afford to seek treatment in well-equipped private hospitals with qualified practitioners and can afford private insurance. The majority of Indians have access only to free public hospitals that provide a low-end service, due to a lack of resources and infrastructure. According to a disturbing WHO report, more than half of the country's population cannot afford essential medicines. Health expenses are the main cause of family debt. The federal government wants to implement a universal social security system to address these problems.
