Role of caste in Indian Society:

1. The political process of any society is influenced by the nature of the society. To understand the nature of the society we study its social structure.

2. India's social structure is best understood in terms of caste system wherein the caste is hierarchically arranged. Over the years, the caste system (or Varna Vyavastha वर्ण व्यवस्था) developed into an elaborate system to maintain socio-economic inequalities in the society.

3. Individuals born in and belonging to the lower castes and the out-castes suffered from many disadvantages and were oppressed and exploited by the upper castes.

4. The conditions of the outcasts (Dalits) was particularly pathetic. The practice of untouchability epitomised their conditions.

5. In the typical Varna-Vyavastha there are four Varnas: Brahmin (the priest and the intellectual class), Kshatriya (warrior and ruling class), Vaiyyas (the producing class-peasants and artisans) and Shudre (those who performed menial and 'polluting' jobs.)

6. We must note here that the 'Varna Vyavastha' provides more the theory than the actuality of the caste. In reality, there are not four but thousands of castes and jatis (जातियाँ) in which the caste system is organised. It is possible, nevertheless, to classify most of the jatis in accordance with the Varna distinctions, although it is easier to be done at the extreme ends of the social spectrum than at the middle ranges.

7. Varna system is related to jati in that it gives a holistic framework to which any jati will fit.

8. Caste is localized group having a traditional association with an occupation. The principle of birth forms the exclusive basis of membership in a caste group. The choice of occupation is not open but is determined on the basis of one's birth in a caste.