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 to foreigners, the caste system is a complex Indian specificity, which is still very much alive in the country. Contrary to popular belief, the caste system has not been officially abolished, despite the efforts of successive governments to do so. On the other hand, discrimination against lower castes is illegal under Article 15 of the Constitution. People from the lowest castes have great difficulty gaining access to higher education and "noble" professions. Caste is the hierarchy of society, each caste having to perform the task corresponding to its rank. A caste's level of "purity" is paramount. Certain tasks can only be carried out by members of a specific caste, e.g. death-related activities are 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 across all religions. Two factors contributed to the establishment and development of this system: on the one hand, respect for and application of the texts of the Rig Veda, one of the four great Hindu scriptures, and on the other, the division of the Indian population into different classes by the British colonists for political purposes. A new framework emerged in modern India: castes according to socio-professional categories, embracing Western social class theories.
Hinduism. The concept of caste first appeared in the Rig Veda, the founding Vedic texts of the Hindu religion. This system divides individuals according to their rank(varna) in society: the varnas. At the top of the pyramid are the Brahmins, the priests who ensure the cohesion of society through a common religion, followed by the Kshatriyas, which include warriors, rulers and intellectuals. Next comes the vaishya caste, which was once that of the wealthy landowner-cultivator, but today includes artisans, merchants and farmers. The shudras represent the caste of the working classes and employees, previously mixed or associated with the indigenous population(adivasi). Finally, at the bottom of the pyramid are the "outcastes", those who belong to none of the above groups. These are the famous "untouchables". Nowadays, they are known as dalits, the term "untouchables" having far too negative a connotation.
British heritage. The British East India Company carried out its first nationwide census in 1872, classifying the various strata of the population according to their socio-professional and religious category: 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 policies. Indeed, many British rulers had formed coalitions with kings, princes or priests who were then in power. This discrimination enabled the British to divide society in order to rule better... 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 outward sign of wealth by the wealthy classes, whose younger generations even neglect to learn their mother tongue (Hindi, Maharathi...).
Family
Structure. The family is the most important value in India. Family members generally live in the same household, which can be up to 5 generations old. The traditional Indian family has a patriarchal structure: the father is the head of the family and the undisputed authority figure. And, although he generally consults his wife, it is he 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 activities. A wife's main role is to give her husband a son, to ensure family continuity. The birth of a daughter is always greeted with joy, but the future problem of the dowry can cloud this feeling. Respect for elders is a deeply rooted 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 well-off urban families with a high level of education, roles evolve and there is a more consistent parity between spouses.
Weddings. Marriage is the most important event in the life of an Indian man and woman. Parents are usually responsible for 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 ensure that the chosen person is the right one and to find a suitable date for the ceremony. Arranged marriages are still widespread in the country, especially in rural and poor areas. Child marriages are forbidden and non-existent in South India. The ceremonies are the occasion for monumental feasts. The bride's family organizes the event and takes care of the vast majority of the ceremony's expenses (guest accommodation, food, gifts, etc.). Considerable sums are invested to enhance the status of the bride and her family. The groom's family pays for the band and presents gifts to the bride and her family, but the sums involved are far less than those invested by the bride's family. The bride must also pay the dowry required by the groom's family. The higher the social status or caste, the greater the sum required. This practice is tending to disappear in affluent, "Westernized" circles. Weddings involve the participation of all family members, with a sizeable number of guests. The ceremony is a colorful feast of food, music and religious rituals. Once the ceremony is over, the bride joins the groom's family to live with them. It's the start of a new life, and she'll have to acclimatize to her husband, whom she generally 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 join in the festivities.
Consequent disparities
India is undoubtedly one of the world's most disparate countries. Access to education and wealth varies considerably according to caste and family background. Class distinctions are abysmal, and the rich rub shoulders with the poor on a daily basis. In the cities, it's common to see a well-to-do man in a luxury car driving past starving beggars, and in rural areas, large estates are found next to shabby dwellings built from makeshift materials.
Education. In the past, young Indians pursued their education in a gurukul, a place designed to teach a range of subjects, from religious rites to mathematics and Sanskrit. In the early 19th century, education was modernized under British rule. It wasn't until 2010 that schooling became compulsory and free for children between the ages of 6 and 14. Inequalities between public and private schools are considerable. To counter this, private schools are required by law to have at least 25% of their pupils from disadvantaged families. Yet some children are still not enrolled. The cost of schooling (uniforms, transport, school supplies) is a burden for the poorest families, and a child in school represents a loss of labor.
Health. Access to healthcare is a problem for many Indians. There is a big difference between the public sector and the private sector, which alone owns 90% of the country's hospitals. The most affluent families can afford treatment in well-equipped private hospitals with qualified practitioners, and can afford to take out private insurance. The majority of Indians, on the other hand, can only access free public hospitals, which provide a low-quality service, due to a lack of resources and infrastructure. According to a worrying WHO report, more than half the country's population cannot afford essential medicines. Health expenses are the main cause of family indebtedness. The federal government intends to set up a universal social security system to remedy these problems.
