CASTE SYSTEM IN MUSLIM SOCIETY OF INDIA, PART-I
Submitted by Dr Radhasyam Br... on Sun, 02/08/2009 - 04:14
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PDF versionBy Dr Radhasyam Brahmachari
It is needless to say that the Muslim clerics, Christian priests and the Communists blame the Hindus for their caste system and according to them this casteism of the Hindus is inhuman, loathsome and discriminative and it provides a legal sanction for the higher caste people to oppress and exploit the lower caste ones. While these people discuss this issue, they never say Hindu Dharma, but Brahmanya Dharma or Brahmanism to show that the Brahmins were the creators of this despicable institution of casteism to be used as tool to oppress the people belonging to lower castes, particularly the Sudras, who belong to the lowest stratum of the caste hierarchy.
But historically this casteism of the Hindus, not created by Brahmins but originated as a division of labour. A civilized society needs various kinds of goods and services; it needs cloths to wear, needs pots and utensils for storing food and water so many other things. So, in the process of development, some people engaged themselves in reading, writing and teaching for generations, acquired a special skill in their trade and ultimately formed a caste. The group of people who engaged themselves in trade and commerce for generations formed a caste of traders. In a similar manner the group engaged in spinning threads and weaving cloth formed a class of weavers; people engaged in making iron implements for agriculture formed a caste of smiths and so on. So, it implies that the caste system must exist in every civilized society where division of labour exists. But difference is that, their caste system is undeclared, whereas, caste system of the Hindus is a declared institution.
In the early stage of civilization, the Hindu society was divided into four major castes or Varnas and these were the teacher and priest caste (Brahmana), the warrior caste (Kshatriya), farmer and trader caste (Vasya) and the caste of manual labourers (Sudra). As the society progressed, various type other castes and sub-castes originated. New separate castes also appeared due to inter-caste marriages and in this manner a long list of castes came into being. And this development shows that Hindu casteism is a product of civilization and the resulting division of labour. And hence it was a natural process, and hence a caste system, in some form or other, must exist in every civilized human society.
The people who blame Hinduism, admire both Christianity and Islam and say that these religions, particularly Islam, is far more humane and socialistic as they do not have any discriminatory and oppressive institution like casteism, and where the rich and the poor pray alike, standing side by side, in a mosque. But the renowned historian Tara Chand, in his History of Freedom Movement in India writes, "All census reports (of India) before 1931 used to give a long list of Muslim castes and there is no doubt whatsoever that in the 18th century, the Muslim inhabitants in India followed the pattern that of the Hindu society. ... This was un-Islamic but an awakening against it was impossible at that time" (Vol-1, p-100). As a consequence, the Muslim society of India is also divided into innumerable caste, and even today, there exist more than 20 Muslim castes in a village alone in Uttar Pradesh alone.
So the Muslim reader, who said that there is no caste system in Muslim society of India, has told a dark lie. On the contrary, caste system among the Muslims is far more rigorous and rigid than that of the Hindu society. If a Hindu girl marries a lower caste Hindu boy, her parents, may at best, refuse to maintain any relation with her. But a Muslim girl, if marries a lower caste Muslim boy, she runs the risk of falling a victim of honour killing.
Tara Chand also writes that the Sayeds were at the zenith of the Muslim caste hierarchy. Auragjeb had strong sympathy for the Sayeds and he believed that they should be respected and honoured by every Muslim and they must not be hurt either physically or mentally. In a nut shell, the position of these Sayeds was as it were for the Brahmins in the Hindu society. Almost all these Sayeds were foreigners from West Asian Muslim countries. When a higher caste Hindu converted to Islam, they were called Sahikhs and used to claim a higher position in the Muslim society. But the lower caste Hindus who, after conversion called Razils, were treated as lower caste Muslims. These Razils were considered no better than kafirs by the Sayeds or by other higher caste Muslims and entering into a matrimonial relationship with these Razils was unthinkable.
In addition to that, Muslims object to Quadiani and Ahmediya Muslims being called Muslims at all and refuse to allow the burial of a Quadiani in their graveyards. Conflicts between Shia and Sunni, Hanafi and non-Hanafi are a regular feature in Muslim society. In many countries, including India and Pakistan, Shia villages are sacked, looted and razed to the ground by the Sunnis. It is also important to note that Shia-Sunni disputes in India and elsewhere are more frequent and more prolific than Hindu-Muslims riots. In Muslim society, as pointed out above, Syeds, Moghals, Pathans, Shaikhs and the Muslims of foreign origin are considered superior to converted Indian Muslims. These Higher caste Muslims do not enter into any social and matrimonial relations with low caste Muslims like Kalus, Jolas, Nikaris etc.
The Christian priests too do not miss a single opportunity to blame Hinduism for its caste system. But, as a matter of fact, the Christian society also has its own caste system, both in India and in the Western countries. The lower caste Hindus after their conversion to Christianity are called depressed classes or Dalit Christians. These Dalit Christians in South India have to suffer all their previous disabilities they had before conversion. A recent incident in a South Indian Church, where Adi-Dravid Christians forcibly occupied seats allotted to caste Christians, led to effective segregation as Christians and untouchable Adi-Dravid Christians. In another incident, a Christian priest at Erode, on his Bishop's instruction, segregated Adi-Dravid Christians from caste Christians in Church. The caste Catholics of Trichinopoly refused to allow celebration of a depressed Christian's marriage in Church. Generally, European and Anglo-Indian Christian are separated from Indian Christians in a church - even their burial places are separate.
In England, people use the word class in stead of caste. There are many such castes, namely the Lord class, Baron class, the Manor class, the trader class, the working class and so on. In some sense, the British caste system is more rigorous than the caste system of the Hindus. A few examples may help the reader to understand the extant caste system in England. Swami Purohit when on a visit to England said, "I have been in this country for last four years and the majority of hotels and boarding houses all over the country refused me accommodations. Moreover, thousands of English homes were barred to me because I was a black man" (Truth-II.732). Negro tourists in London are refused admission to hotels. Similarly tram conductors in London are rude to Indians and say - "a black does not deserve any better" (Truth-IV.294).
"An English woman in Nairobi flogged her native servant to death for a petty theft. She was then sentenced to only one year's imprisonment for her crime. Not only that, the government recommended her mercy petition for clemency" (Truth-II.389). In South Africa coloured people are precluded from traveling in Mail trains and other notified trains. Marriage between white woman and Negroes were prohibited. Whites and blacks form entirely different castes. A coloured man is punishable as a criminal if he sits in a railway carriage reserved for the whites.
The renowned Islamic scholar Yoginder Singh Sikand has presented a detailed account of origin of Muslim caste system in India in his essay Caste in Indian Muslim Society. At the very outset, Mr Sikand Writes, "Although the Qur'an insists on the radical equality of all Muslims, caste (zat, jati, biraderi) remains a defining feature of Indian Muslim society, with significant regional variations. While the severity of caste among the Indian Muslims is hardly as acute as among the Hindus, with the practice of untouchability being virtually absent, caste and associated notions of caste-based superiority and inferiority still do play an important role in Indian Muslim society." He further writes, "This disjunction between Qur'anic egalitarianism and Indian Muslim social practice has been theorized by Muslim scholars in different ways. While some have sought to reconcile the two by interpreting the scripturalist sources of Islam to support social hierarchy, others have pointed out that the continued existence of caste-like features in Indian Muslim society is a flagrant violation of the Qur'anic worldview."
To explain the origin of caste system in Indian Muslim society, Mr Sikand wrtites, "The vast majority of the Indian Muslims are descendants of converts from what is today called 'Hinduism'. Individual conversions to Islam in medieval times were rare. Rather, typically, entire local caste groups or significant sections thereof underwent a gradual process of Islamisation, in the course of which elements of the Islamic faith were gradually incorporated into local cosmologies and ritual practice while gradually displacing or replacing local or 'Hindu' elements. ....Hence, even after conversion to Islam, marriage continued to take place within the original caste group. ... And many of the converts retained several aspects of their local, pre-Islamic beliefs and practices."
(To be continued)
Few questions please; 1. Is
Few questions please;
1. Is the monarchy system a form of caste system?
2. Why are some people born in Ethiopia and some in Switzerland or elsewhere, is this a pure chance or choice? Could it be that being born in different communities is also a form of birth in a different caste?
3. If all Hindus who wanted to convert to another religion were considered as apostates and killed, would there be any Muslims in India today?
4. Every single Human is born into a family not by his choice but he has the choice to be anyone he wants to be including to be the most perfect Human. Nothing can stop him and this means caste is only a guideline?
5. Ignorance on caste practices and false perceptions have painted a wrong view, casteism exists in every society in every country, every person wants to mingle with someone of the same status. Every human should be proud of his ancestry and improve himself. This is universal truth?
Best wishes
Dr. Achari, I really like the
Dr. Achari, I really like the way you are picking up issues. Its a reality that Caste ism does exist among Muslims in India. However this has nothing to do with the Hindu influence. There are caste and sub castes every where amongst Muslims. For those who claim that Muslims need time to get over casteism should take into account that many Muslims have been converts for the last 1000 years. That is enough time to get over any sorts of influences.
Islam is inherently based on an order which places the non-Arab Muslims in the lowest order of things. Of course Muslims deny this public ally, but when it comes to issues like marriage the caste factor comes up.
Let us the take the example of Pakistan in the Southern regions where the Punjabi Muslims from East Punjab settled. The southern region is composed of Seirakis, who for the most part are of Shia descent and are a peaceful people. However the Sunnis from East Punjab who settled there we as sectarian as they could be. These Shia people don't have anything against these immigrants, however they don't intermarry or inter dine with them. In other words they dont have any sort of social relations with these Sunni Muslims. The Sunni Muslims for the most part engage in violence against these Shia people who are also seirakis.
Even in my own native Kashmir, cast ism among the Muslims is rampant. Let me give you a few examples. The valley Muslims can be broadly divided into three categories:
1. Those who are general Muslims, meaning those who converted from Hinduism or Buddhism to Islam. They are further divided into Sunni and Shia which are further subdivided into various sects and sub sects. each sect claims to be the Ahlus Sunnah (among the Sunnis).
2. The seyyeds or foreigner. They are the ones who came from Central Asia and Arabia and settled on our land. I consider them as foreigners who have no right to live on our land.
3.The Haez, or the fishermen.
None of the above subdivisions intermarry with each other. They don't inter dine, they don't offer prayers together at the same mosques, they don't have anything common between them besides the fact that they all hate Non-Muslims, in varying degrees, of course.
Then again we have the Gujjar, bakkarwal ad Rajput Muslim tribes living in the hills. These are again units which don't intermarry with either the valley Muslims or amongst any other tribe. These feelings come from being a part of the right people. The people who will go to Paradise. As it is written in the Qur'an by the Prophet Muhammad, that only one sect will go to Paradise. Each sect or social group believes that it is the right sect and these social divisions.
I have yet to hear that Hindus belonging to different sects killing each other for their beliefs. Hence to claim that the cast ism among Muslims comes from Hinduism is wishful thinking and quite contrary to the facts.
The point is not about
The point is not about existance of castes or any discrimination system in all cultures or races but about certain cultures to influence, support or venerate these kinds of bigotry systems. Hindus cannot escape condemnation as they do not show any sign whatsoever of being shamed by the practice. Everyone is aware how white supremacism was fought in South Africa and continue to be fought wherever and whenever it arise, but we do not see Hindus doing any attempt of shunning castes. For this Hindus are no different to muslims.
Hey proudchristian, actually
Hey proudchristian, actually Hindus are shunning the barbaric caste system. For one, the Indian Constitution--which was written by a Dalit (or lowest caste person)--prohibits the caste system. The only problem is that it's taking too long to die out--but India is at least moving in the right direction.
You notice this elsewhere: in Europe different nations used to destroy each other, but now they have formed a union; in Japan, people used to kill for the emperor, but now they are a peaceful democracy; in Africa there were genocidal tribal wars, but now more African states are becoming democratic; Aztecs used to practice human sacrifice, but now Mexico entitles healthcare to all of its citizens; America was racist but now they have elected an African-American as President; even China, which was xenophobic is now embracing other cultures (see the 2008 Olympics).
But Islam continues to terrorize the world. It refuses to grant religious tolerance, it demands everyone else's land, it subjugates women, and so on.
The problem is that these practices are INGRAINED in Islam. In other parts of the world, people changed from within. But Islam CAN'T change from within because it claims to be the perfect revelation from God.
Therefore, it must be destroyed.
In hinduism lower caste caste
In hinduism lower caste caste people r not allowed into the temple, six months back in bihar a dalit was killed for entering into the temple, recently in orissa a temple was purified after the entry of a dalit minister, i can show many like this upper cast people even kill dalits for pitty reasons etc.the author was an hindu so he cannot see his back but he can see the backs of islam,christinity. for more visit this site http://pucl.org/index-subject/dalit-tribal.htm
Amin you admitted it
Amin you admitted it yourself. Muslims created nothing. all you did was transmit inventions to Europe. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
AminWhen Muslims were enroute on the conquests they carried these inventions of other people with them and along the way pretended that they had done them. Now Muslims invented peper and we all know China did it. No wonder china dont want Islam around.
Proud Christian says: .
Proud Christian says: . Hindus cannot escape condemnation as they do not show any sign whatsoever of being shamed by the practice.
>> Caste system is not thousands of years old in Hindu society. It started in the medieval ages. As per scriptures there are only four varnas or professions based on ability and not by birth. The greatest poet of all time, Kalidasa, was a shephard by birth; Chanakya, an author of Finance, was a barber by birth; Vedavyasa, the author of vedas and puranas was born to a fisherwoman. There are many examples like that.
Everyone is aware how white supremacism was fought in South Africa and continue to be fought wherever and whenever it arise, but we do not see Hindus doing any attempt of shunning castes. For this Hindus are no different to muslims.
>> You are wrong-footed here. Hindus are the first to realise the problem of caste system which is not in accordance with scriptures. There are reservation systems in jobs and education for such people. Hindus are uniting against the tyrannical Muslim and Christian dogmas in India.
Now tell me how many sects of Xnity you have? Catholics do not pray with Protestants; these two sects do not mingle with Mormons; these three sects do not marry with Pentacostals; these four sects do not share tables with Plebetarians.... Finally, the Christians in India make certain converted Christians to stand separately for prayers in Churches. Pope Pius XII was the pet dog of Hitler who killed 6 million jews. Christianity destroyed innumerable civilizations thorugh the commandments of dirty Old testaments. Greek, Roman, Mayans, Incas, Aztecs, Goan messacre... How much blood of non-Christians you Biblical God wants? Aren't you ashamed of the fact that Muslims took all hateful verses from Old testament? Both Islam and Christianity have been the source of evil; until these dirty religions vanish off from earth, peace will not prevail
SILENZER: hINDU DO NOT
SILENZER:
hINDU DO NOT CONVERT BECAUSE OF THE RACIST NATURE OF THE CULT. As i explained to you that Christianity was not responsible for what the Church of Rome did. Christendom did what they wanted to do. Constantine was a pagan who served Tammuz, whose sign was the cross before Jesus was killed. It makes you feel good, you can blame Jim Jones who claimed to be a Christian and killed 900 people in Jonestown with koolaid and thre bullet. Polygamy was first practiced by demons or jinns in Genesis 6:1-3 and Jude says they were bad jinns. Roman Catholicism did all of the crime you hate as there were no Protestants back then. History will prove you wrong. The bible never said blacks are cursed, NEVER. Jesus came for all mankind. Roman soldiers killed Jesus at the request of the rabbis who were losing their good thing and control over the people.
Satan the DEVIL, according to the Quran is Allah the greatest schemer, liar, deceiver. allah was and still is one of the many gods of Hinduism. India once ruled Arabia.
Silenzer: Wrong! I know
Silenzer:
Wrong! I know many Prostentants married to Catholics. Mormons copied from Islam as Joesph Smith said he wanted to be just like Muhammad and he tried. He married 30 women, said blacks were cursed and that everyone was a Mormon! He ran for president of the US. He said white was right! He was white just like Muhammad and Allah fornicated in heaven. Muhammad said Mary, mother of Jesus would be one of his wives. The Aztec were slavers and ritualistic racist of all the tribes. The Mexicans are pure racist against black Mexicans today. Get your fact right. Mexico sold five states to America for 5 million dollars after they got their butts beaten!
btilly u silly boy,when did
btilly u silly boy,when did INDIA rule arabia??????when did allah become one of the gods of hinduism?? DEAR WE ARE HERE TO DEFANG ISLAM NOT SHARE ISLAM.U SOUND LIKE A PAID PADRE OUT TO INCREASE HIS FOLLOWERS.
EDITOR--PLEASE NOTE,THIS SORT OF ARGUMENT IN THE FORUM GOES AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF FFI.POTENTIAL MUSLIMS OR FENCE SITTERS WHO WANT TO GIVE UP THEIR FAITH MAY HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS--FROM THE FRYING PAN TO THE FIRE.THE ENTIRE CONCEPT OF FFI IS TO WEAN MODERATE THINKING MUSLIMS INTO GIVING UP HIS RELIGION.WE ARE NOT HOLDING A GUN TO HIS HEAD.DO NOT USE THE ANMOYMINITY OF THE NET TO LET OUT YOUR FRUSTRATION.
KINDLY REFRAIN FROM GLORIFYING OR VILIFYING ANY RELIGION. REGARDING ISLAM WE ARE JUST DEBATING THE TRUTH SO AS TO HELP MUSLIMS COME OUT OF HIS/HER RELIGION.IMAGINE THE MENTAL TRAUMA A PERSON WHO HAS GIVEN UP HIS RELIGION/FAITH MUST BE GOING THROUGH.
RELIGION IS LIKE A MARRIAGE IF I CAN USE THE SIMILI.A PERSON WHO HAS JUST DIVORCED IS BEING ASKED TO REMARRY INTO CHRISTIANITY.
I AM WAITING FOR COMMENTS.
I am not here to defame
I am not here to defame anyone but tell the truth.
I get no joy out of defaming, only telling the truth.\Indian ruled Arabia once under a King whose name is too long to write see Hinduunity. Allah is in your vedas.
As a recipient of the horros of Islam and hinduism please dont tell me that crap.
My ancestors were sent to India and abused by the holy Hindus and the holy Arabs. To both the dark skinned nappy haired Africans were nile creatures and you cannot say different. That is not defaming but truth. tHIS FORUM IS SUPPOSE TO TELL THE TRUTH, NOW IF YOU CANNOT ACCEPT TRUTH THEN YOU ARE LIKE ALLAH SAID LIE SURA 3:54.
sURA 4;34 SAYS BEAT WIVES. MOST WOMEN ARE IN HELLFIRE. tHAT IS TRUTH. NOW IF YOU CANNOT ACCEPT TRUTH, THEN PUT YOUR HEAD IN THE SANDS OF DESERT OF ARABIA.
Hi,i went to hinduunity but
Hi,i went to hinduunity but did not find the kings name.could u please give me the links.I know history which tells me that hindus went uptill present day Afghanistan only.Yes hinduism spread till present day vietnam.So ur wrong. So u feel christians dont have color discrimination.then explain why african americans are converting in droves to islam?????????????color discrimination is present in all religions.it is not due to the religion,but basic human mind which perceives black as dirty & white as clean & pure.This should be eradicated in childhood with proper education.But the basic human suffering all over the world is due to christian--muslim fights.see the world map.Both these religions set out to enlighten the people about god & look at the mess they have created.leave the hindus out of it.we are reforming our religion,we dont need help.Thank u.BEING AN INDIAN U TALK OF DISCRIMINATION,EVERY INDIAN IN HIS LIFETIME WOULD FACE SOME SORT OF DISCRIMINATION.WE CANNOT HELP IT.OUR COUNTRY IS LARGE & WITH DIVERSITY.WE NEED TO GROW OUT OF IT.It appears u have a inferiority complex about ur color & perceived hatred towards hindus.DEAR U DONT NEED CHRISTIANITY U NEED A SHRINK!!!!!!!TAKE CARE.
Krishna look under "what
Krishna look under "what Hindu ruled Arabia. His name begin with a V. The Kaaba is a Hindu temple and has the penis and vagina of the Hindu gods.
Black join anything. Some who were white enough joined the KKK. Blacks joined the Nazi in Germany. Blacks joined the Islamic cult because of lies. They are told that Islam is a Black man's religion, when Allah and Muhammad hated blacks. Cursed them and created Blacks for hellfire. Black men are less than a donkey's penis and black women are stupid and a sign of a bad disease.Ishaq 243, Tabari 11, Hadith 9:162,3.
Black skinned Indians are as racist as any KKK. Black did it to themselves and Africa will always suffer because of GREED. Tell the Truth. Why many Black join Islam is from jail. While in jail they join to protect themselves from other Muslims. Most Black Muslims came from prison. Muslims have the highest rate of child abuse and many other bad things. Muslims in the USA are calling Dr. King a House Nigga, Malcolm X was one. Not one Muslims helped fight in the Civil Rights. Slavery is Islam and they are so STUPID aS mUHAMMAD AKA aLLAH SAID they join anything anti white. Whites freed Blacks and 500,000 whites died in America Civil WAr. wHEN DID iSLAM stop slavery. NEVER! On this site the camera shows children in chains and Muslims have been sent to prison for bringing slaves to America. In India Afro-Indians are not even untouchables but below that caste. TRASH they are called, black trash, takruni, zunja are all names Africans are called by the holy behind Hindu and Muslims. I dont want either. Christendom, Islam or Hinduism or any so-called religion. They lie. Christendom dont follow the Bible, Islam follows the Quran and Hindu follow the Vedas. Allah is the DEVIL sura 3:54. Blacks dont read and most Muslims cant read. The Bible said My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Allah said dont ask questions sura 5:101,2. The Vedas?
Christianity is NOT Christendom.
Christianity is from Jesus
Christendom is from Constantine, pagan Rome from324 CE. who served TAMMUZ with the cross as its symbol. When he converted to "christendom"
he was baptized on his deathbed, thus made the cross the symbol of Christ, thus keeping TAMMUZ as his god and the pagans were happy and the apostate christians-he kept peace in Rome.
Racism will always be. Get use to it. Blondes are seen as more beautiful than brunettes. Blondes have more fun!
http://www.indiannaqshbandi.o
http://www.indiannaqshbandi.org/intro_silsilah.html