Hinduism and the caste system?

Question

I am studying Hinduism and India. In India is there still a caste system today?

And is there anything in the actual Hindu religion that says there should be a caste system? Or was it just made up by the government?

Answer 1

Caste system will never end in India because it became a part of life for the people in India. Its not in Indian religion to create caste system and government doesn't like caste system but people made it when Hinduism was founded.

Answer 2

Still the caste system is followed by some people. Of course not many people are blind about it. At least 90% of City dwelers and 70% of rural people do not care about it.

It was started in the early stage of Hiduism. They had devided the society into four groups depending on there expertise and social capabilities.

1. BRAHMANA - Who use to pujas (worship)

2. Khastriya - Who use to fight to protect society from enemies.

3. VAISHYA - WHo use to do farming and tradings

4. SHUDRA - Who use to help others in their work and do all the odd jobs like sweeping etc.

Later on in 11th century or so the caste system amplified on its own. Many sub caste had been created and upper caste people started taking benefit out of it.

Indian government never cretaed any caste or officialy supporting the caste system but the political parties always takes political advantages out of it.

For details visit - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste