Legal Definition of Caste
Meaning of Caste
An individual’s rigidly ascribed, or inherited, status within society. In India there are 4 major castes originally based on vocation: the Brahmans (or Hindu priests), warriors, farmers, and shop keepers. The castes are all ranked relative to each other with the Brahmans being at the top. In addition, there are people in India who are outside of the caste system. These outcasts are at the bottom of society. One’s caste is extremely important in India. People are careful to marry within their own caste and to avoid physical contact with members of lower castes because of the danger of pollution.
Related Entries of Caste in the Encyclopedia of Law Project
Browse or run a search for Caste in the American Encyclopedia of Law, the Asian Encyclopedia of Law, the European Encyclopedia of Law, the UK Encyclopedia of Law or the Latin American and Spanish Encyclopedia of Law.
Caste in Historical Law
You might be interested in the historical meaning of this term. Browse or search for Caste in Historical Law in the Encyclopedia of Law.
Legal Abbreviations and Acronyms
Search for legal acronyms and/or abbreviations containing Caste in the Legal Abbreviations and Acronyms Dictionary.
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What is Caste?
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Definition of Caste
The Canada social science dictionary [1] provides the following meaning of Caste: A status group, within a system of hierarchical social stratification, in which membership is hereditary. Caste differentiations are usually based on religious and mythical traditions and caste membership determines occupational roles, place of residence and legal and customary rights and duties. Caste is maintained from generation to generation by the practice of within-caste marriage (endogamy) and strict formality in social interaction with other castes. See: CLASS / ENDOGAMY in this legal dictionary and in the world encyclopedia of law.
Caste: Resources
Notes and References
- Drislane, R., & Parkinson, G. (2016). (Concept of) Caste. Online dictionary of the social sciences. Open University of Canada
Resources
Legal English Vocabulary: Caste in Spanish
Online translation of the English legal term caste into Spanish: casta (English to Spanish translation) . More about legal dictionary from english to spanish online.
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