Indian culture is largely based on the caste system which has been in force for hundreds of years. This caste system has prevented true progress in India due to its narrow beliefs. The caste system has been present in many cultures, but the caste system in India has had the greatest impact on modern society, if not remained in place. The Indian caste system is unique to their culture in that it is called the "Jati" system and is based on the morals, values ​​and social structure of the culture. “Although tribes and religious distinctions also exist in other societies, what sets India apart is the prevalence of the caste system.” (Gupta, 410)Say no to plagiarism. Get Custom Essay on 'Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned'?Get Original EssayThe Indian 'Jati' system is made up of four 'Varna', four categories or classes of society. The first or upper class of society, the category recognized as the most elite, is called the “Brahman”. This class is made up mainly of “…priests whose rituals and sacrifices alone could ensure the proper functioning of the world.” (Strayer, 159) The next class or varna was that of the Kshatriya whose main function was that of “…protecting and governing society”. (Strayer, 159) Third, there was the Vaisya class, who were generally considered the people or commoners. Some were farmers, others were merchants, but this was the last class of respected people. This was also the last class of those considered "twice-born", of pure Aryan descent "...for they experienced not only physical birth but also formal initiation into their respective varnas and their status as people of origin Aryan. » (Strayer, 159) Finally, the Sudra, or as they are more commonly called, were the “untouchables”. The Sudras were the lowest of the four classes of society and were simply natives of India living among those they were obliged to serve. “Considered servants of their social superiors, they were not allowed to hear or repeat the Vedas or participate in Aryan rituals. They were so little appreciated that a Brahmin who killed a Sudra was penalized as if he had killed a cat or a dog. (Strayer, 159) This four-tiered social structure was believed to form the body of the god Purusha. This idea impressed even more classes of structure on those who lived within the Hindu or Jati caste. Jati played a very important role in the daily lives of the Indian people, as much of the "social distinctions...were based largely on profession...Each jati was associated with a particular set of duties , rules, and obligations that defined the unique and distinct place of its members in society as a whole. (Strayer, 161) Even though the outside world has evolved and things like slavery have been outlawed and men and women are considered equals, the caste system, although practiced somewhat little different, stays in place. In reality, the entire Indian society acts as a whole and as an individual holds back. They remain in a primitive phase of life, all because, generation after generation, they have been taught to believe that they will only go so far in life. These individuals have learned to fulfill their obligation without question, because if they belong to a respectable caste (of Aryan blood), they will be reborn into the life they hope to have when in reality this is completely false. This beliefitself can be compared to the era of slavery in America, where owners promised their slaves freedom after the slave had worked for a certain number of years, only to later discover that the master or owner lied. The exception in the caste system is that members of the castes never live to learn that it is wrong, which is one of the many reasons the system has lasted so long. Their beliefs go beyond this world, so their only proof is in death, thus making it impossible for anyone outside to argue with their beliefs. The most affected by the caste system are the Shudras or the untouchables. There are approximately “one hundred and sixty million untouchables who suffer violent reprisals if they forget their place.” (O'neill, National Geographic Online) The mean-spirited individuals who support Indian society and the caste structure believe that they will be "reborn" and hope that with this rebirth will come a better life, a higher position among the others. society perhaps. Untouchables are treated worse than animals and are punished even when they speak several times. In my opinion, this is one of the saddest realities in the world. They are human and yet they are despised and hated because they are not of a certain ancestry. Because they work with their hands, they are considered dirty. These realities are what make me hate it when an American teenager doesn't pretend something is right. Because there are far worse things in the world than many think, one of them being the untouchables. A very sad example of how untouchables are treated is the story of a man named Girdharilal Maurya. He is one of the rare untouchables who dare to try to earn a living for his family and for himself. He worked hard as a leatherworker, which considered him untouchable because "...Hindu law says that working with animal skins makes him impure, someone to be avoided and reviled." (O'Neill, National Geographic) One evening, while his wife and daughter were in their small house and Maurya was away, some men from the village visited him to remind him exactly where he and his family belonged. “They broke down his fences, stole his tractor, beat his wife and daughter and burned down his house. » (O'Neill, National Geographic) It is men like these who hold back Indian society. The primitive nature with which they force those below them to the bottom of the social ladder is what prevents them from progressing towards a better life. The idea that residents view it as more practical to resort to violence and scare tactics than to encourage the economic stability of anyone in the community is primal at best. Instead of limiting it to a privileged few, Indians need to open their minds and perhaps consider slightly changing the structure of their religion so that it includes those who are considered untouchable, if only to establish a working class for the nation. Untouchables should not just be treated like dirty, homeless animals, they are people, these people have the right to live a healthy and prosperous life, just as much as the most elite individual living in India. Even if the idea of ​​encouraging acts of violence like the one committed against Mr. Maurya remains, it only reinforces the idea that until changes are made in India, they will remain as they are, living at the same time when their beliefs developed. If a change were to happen in India, I believe it would be extremely beneficial. If the untouchables were hired and allowed to live healthy, hardworking lives,..