The Caste System
This ancient social hierarchy divided people into tiers at birth.
The Caste System
What was the name given to the lowest tier of the caste system?
Untouchables
This leader was a prominent activist against caste discrimination.
Mahatma Gandhi
What country did India gain independence from, and what year?
Great Britain -- 1947
What group gained equal rights after the Indian constitution was published.
"Untouchables" (or scheduled castes)
≈2,500 years ago
"Untouchables" were banned from accessing these places.
Temples/places of worship.
This leader helped draft India's constitution and fought for equality for "Untouchables"
B.R Ambedkar
The Constitution granting equal rights regardless of caste, religion, race, gender, or language was written in this year.
1950
Special funding was set aside to support this group of people.
This marriage practice required people to marry within their caste.
Endogamy
Before independence, what percentage of India's population consisted of "Untouchables"?
15-20%
Gandhi's influence encouraged these forms of activism.
Movements against caste-based discrimination.
(or anti-caste movements).
"Untouchables" and forest tribes becmae known by this term following the Indian consitution.
Scheduled Castes
Despite reformation, this type of discrimination persisted socially.
Caste Discrimination
What determined a person's caste when born?
The caste of their parents.
"Untouchables" were denied access to this important skill.
Literacy (reading and writing).
This term is used to refer to people who remained loyal to the caste system even after the constitution.
Casteists
Name one resource the scheduled castes gained access to following the publishing of the constitution.
1. Healthcare
2. Legal Aid
3. Places of Worship/Temples
4. Fair Housing
5. Equal education
Treating people as "Untouchables" became illegal under this federal act.
Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955.
Name the three of the five aspects of life that were affected by your caste.
1. Job opportunities
2. Land ownership/housing accessibility
3. Education accessibility
4. Marriage options
5. Healthcare Accessibility
Name three things "Untouchables" were unable to do/didn't have access to.
1. Own land/live near other castes.
2. Enter temples/places of worship.
3. Use community resources (wells, roads).
4. Become literate.
5. Equal healthcare.
6. Legal aid.
This future prime minister called the caste system a "outdated practice".
Jawaharlal Nehru
Scheduled castes were granted this percentage of seats in parliament and state assemblies.
20%
These two educational problems remained high among scheduled castes.
Dropout rates and illiteracy.