Patterns of LifePatterns of Life

Executive SummaryExecutive Summary The Caste SystemThe Caste System MarriageMarriage Women’s LivesWomen’s Lives

The Caste SystemThe Caste System The caste system is built upon the idea that The caste system is built upon the idea that

there are separate kinds of humansthere are separate kinds of humans The higher the caste your born into, the closer The higher the caste your born into, the closer

you are to you are to MokshaMoksha, or a state of union with the , or a state of union with the brahmanbrahman (universe) (universe)

Each caste has its own occupation(s) that the Each caste has its own occupation(s) that the people can havepeople can have

Each caste has a set of rules or Each caste has a set of rules or dharmadharma that that dictate what the individual members can do dictate what the individual members can do and not doand not do

The Caste SystemThe Caste System Have to marry within your own casteHave to marry within your own caste No mobility within the caste systemNo mobility within the caste system The lower castes would have to bang pots The lower castes would have to bang pots

together or ring bells in order to “warn” together or ring bells in order to “warn” upper caste members of their presence; for upper caste members of their presence; for the shadow of an outcast could not even the shadow of an outcast could not even touch a Brahmantouch a Brahman

MarriageMarriage Arranged marriage within one’s casteArranged marriage within one’s caste Many brides / grooms meet on their Many brides / grooms meet on their

wedding daywedding day Very young brides marry much older menVery young brides marry much older men

Women’s LivesWomen’s Lives Marry, wait on husband, and bear sonsMarry, wait on husband, and bear sons When widowed, a woman would go into When widowed, a woman would go into purdahpurdah, or isolation from other men, or isolation from other men

Some women would jump on their Some women would jump on their husband’s funeral pyre and die versus live husband’s funeral pyre and die versus live in isolation. This is known as in isolation. This is known as satisati