Topic Explainations and Reading Log

           I’ve always been interested in world religions and what effect they have on their followers. Another thing that I’m especially interested in is the effect peoples different physical characteristic have of their opportunities and acceptance. The Hindu caste system fit that pretty well. Especially the Brahmans and the Dalits since they are the most different of all the castes. They were treated completely differently by their skin color (race) because of Aryan invasions in Northern India who then made the natives work for them which formed the lowers castes. I wanted to know if the abolishment of the caste system had changed the treatment of the lower castes or effected the status of the Brahmans. Turns out that it did to an extent. Caste problems still exist and Brahmans are highly respected but things have still changed.

          The caste system has been a huge part of Hindu culture since its development. This means that it has a standing impact on Hindus in the past and in the present. It has caused the poor treatment of the Dalit people and privileged lives of the Brahmans, simply because of the difference in skin color. This custom was brought through Aryan invasions where the lighter skin Aryans over took the darker skinned northern Indians, making them the lower class. The Dalits were excluded from society and made to do the jobs considered ‘polluting’. In more recent times people started to rebel against the caste system because of the human rights violations against the Dalits. The caste system was abolished by the Indian government and the treatment of the lower castes has been significantly improved. But, even though there have been improvements violence against Dalits and discrimination by color still exists. Also it has weakened the authority and power of the Brahmans.

Reading Log

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian 1 hour 30 mins

Detailed outline and Thesis 2 hours