Question

Write a short essay (about 250-300 words) on the following:

To what extent do you think caste was a factor in influencing social and economic relations in agrarian society? 

Answer 1

(i) Cultivators were divided on the basis of their caste and other caste-like distinctions or caste-based distinctions. Thus, among the peasants were many who worked as agricultural labourers (majurs) or worked as manacles. Thus, they were not allowed to live in villages. They resided outside the village and were assigned to do menial tasks and lacked resources. Thus, they were poverty-stricken.

(ii) Caste distinctions had also begun to permeate other communities as well. In Muslim communities menials were like halkhoron (scavengers). A direct relation existed between caste poverty and social status.

(iii) In the seventeenth century Marwar Rajputs are described as peasants and equated with jats. They were given an inferior status in the caste hierarchy.

(iv) Castes like Ahirs, Gujjars and Malis reached and elevated status in the eastern regions.

(v) The pastoral and fishing castes like the Sadgops and Kaivatas acquired the status of peasants.