CASTE SYSTEM: IMPACT OF INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

 

CASTE SYSTEM: IMPACT OF INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION 

Industrial revolution has also been a factor

responsible for transforming the Hindu social structure caste system in India is to a very large extent related to village industries and handicrafts. 

The decay of village handicrafts and hereditary occupation, which is the inevitable result of industrialization affect the social structure in a number of ways. The old occupations having disappeared new occupations have appeared wherein the Brahman and the sudra freely meet and min. There is much Freedom of choice of occupation today than under the old regime. At present many members of the Brahman caste are seen engaged in almost any of the occupations excepting of course of sweeper and seavenger. Many members of the various artisan caste are shopkeepers bank clerks and teachers whatever restrictions caste imposed on the choice of occupation have now ceased to exist and guide the individuals. 

Industrialization leads to urbanisation of population. The village people, are forced to putt a side their orthodox ideas and have to eat articles of food prepared by non caste fellows which the spread of communications personal contacts have multiplied which have changed the attitudes which separated caste from caste. The place of caste panchayats has been taken over by brade unions, law courts and other such bodies. The brade union includes all the workers to whatever caste they belong as members caste restrictions cannot be inforced in a factory where member from the lower class brush their shoulders with the member of higher class.