Indian Social Structure

The early settlers in Eastern Bengal who migrated from the more fertile Western Bengal from 16th century onwards, sought some order and assurance in the unstable conditions of the new settlements. These were provided by community leaders, who also functioned as teachers and adjudicators and were sometimes ascribed with supernatural powers. People referred to them with affection and respect as pirs. This term included saints or Sufis and other religious personalities, daring colonisers and deified soldiers, various Hindu and Buddhist deities and even animistic spirits. The cult of pirs became very popular and their shrines can be found everywhere in Bengal.

During the ancient and medieval times, in large parts of the subcontinent, society was divided according to the rules of varna. These rules, as prescribed by the Brahmanas, were accepted by the rulers of large kingdoms. 

The Negritos were the first of the racial groups that came to India. They got settled in the hilly areas of Kerala and the Andaman Islands.

Many societies in the subcontinent did not follow the social rules and rituals prescribed by the Brahmanas. Nor were they divided into numerous unequal classes. Such societies are often called tribes.

As the economy and the needs of society grew, people with new skills were required. Smaller castes, or jatis, emerged within varnas. For example, new castes appeared amongst the Brahmanas. On the other hand, many tribes and social groups were taken into caste-based society and given the status of jatis. Specialised artisans smiths, carpenters and masons were also recognised as separate jatis by the Brahmanas. Jatis, rather than varna, became the basis for organising society.

As the economy and the needs of society grew, people with new skills were required. Smaller castes, or jatis, emerged within varnas. For example, new castes appeared amongst the Brahmanas.

The rise of Rajput clans to the position of rulers set an example for the tribal people to follow. Gradually, with the support of the Brahmanas, many tribes became part of the caste system. But only the leading tribal families could join the ruling class.

The rise of Rajput clans to the position of rulers set an example for the tribal people to follow. Gradually, with the support of the Brahmanas, many tribes became part of the caste system. But only the leading tribal families could join the ruling class. A large majority joined the lower jatis of caste society. On the other hand, many dominant tribes of Punjab, Sind and the North-West Frontier had adopted Islam quite early.  They continued to reject the caste system. The unequal social order, prescribed by orthodox Hinduism, was not widely accepted in these areas.

The Lucknow Pact was not concluded through mass participation. It was primarily a brainchild of the educated and rich Hindus and Muslims. The Pact accepted in principle that the interests of the Hindus and Muslims were separate.

Dalits in India have historically faced systemic discrimination rooted in the rigid social hierarchy of the caste system. While religion and profession are often intertwined with caste, the caste system itself is the primary structural factor.

Serfs were agricultural laborers who were legally bound to the land and the lord, lacking the freedom to move or change their employment.

Prof. S.C. Dube's study highlighted how social stratification, specifically caste and gender inequality, hindered community development projects.

In historical and anthropological contexts, the term 'Aryans' is often associated with the Nordic racial group.

The British government gave many large European trading firms the sole right to trade in the forest products of particular areas. Grazing and hunting by local people were restricted. In the process, many pastoralists and nomadic communities like the Korava, Karacha, and Yerukula of the Madras Presidency lost their livelihoods. Some of them began to be called criminal tribes and were forced to work instead in factories, mines, and plantations, under government supervision. Whereas, Jhum was a term used for shifting cultivation in India.

In traditional societies, women were excepted to do domestic work such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, tailoring, looking after children, etc. They were not excepted to do any work outside the home.