From Varna to Jaati: Historical Evolution and Institutionalization of Caste in India

Abstract

The caste system in India represents one of the oldest forms of social stratification, evolving from a flexible classificatory framework into a rigid system of institutional inequality. This paper traces the origins of caste through early historical theories, examines its expansion through occupational and marital practices, and analyses its transformation during the colonial and post-colonial periods. It further explores how caste continues to shape modern Indian society despite constitutional safeguards and affirmative action policies. The study argues that caste persists not merely as a social identity but as a deeply embedded structural system requiring 
transformative approaches for meaningful change.