According to Arnold Green, “Caste is a system of stratification in which mobility, up and down the status ladder, at least ideally may not occur.”

According to Cooley, “When a class is some what strictly hereditary, we may call it a caste.”

Following are the main characteristics of caste:

(i) Segmental division of society: Under the caste system the society is divided into many smaller social groups called castes. Each of these castes is a well-developed social group whose membership is based on birth. Since membership is based on birth, it is impossible to move from one caste to another. Each caste has its own traditional social status, occupation, customs rules and regulations.

(ii) Hierarchy: Prof. According to Ghurye there are about 200 castes in each linguistic region which can be classified and arranged in a hierarchy on the basis of their social preference. At the top of this hierarchy is the untouchable caste.

(iii) Lack of unrestricted choice of occupation: The choice of occupation is not free under the caste system. Each caste or group of allied castes is traditionally associated with a particular occupation. Occupations are hereditary and members of a caste are expected to follow their traditional occupation without fail.

(iv) Prohibition on marriage: The castes are divided into sub-castes and each sub-caste is an endogamous group. According to some thinkers, endogamous marriage is the essence of the caste system. Each caste or sub-caste insists that its members should marry within the group.