SubEditor – Maryam Sayyed
GranthParichay | 30 th August
“Origins of the Caste System” is a research-based book by the renowned scholar and writer Sanjay Sonawani that sheds light on the historical origins of the caste system. The caste system in the Indian subcontinent has become a subject of fascination and criticism worldwide. It has been claimed by various caste groups, and even by scholars, that the caste system has been rigid and unchangeable for thousands of years. Progressive thinkers dream of eradicating the caste system and are actively working towards it, but satisfactory success has not been achieved. In such a scenario, it was essential to explore the origins of castes, understand when they became rigid, and uncover their true nature.
In his research-based work, “Origins of the Caste System,” Sanjay Sonawani delves deeply into how the caste system originated and how it evolved into its current form. This book is influencing scholars and readers globally.
The book challenges the traditional belief that the caste system is divinely ordained and has been a birth-based and closed system since its inception. A significant mistake made by scholars so far has been to treat the Vedic religion and Hindu religion as the same and have wrongfully equated the Vedic Varna system with the Hindu caste system. Due to this fundamental error, incorrect assumptions about the caste system have been formed. According to Sonawani’s research, there is no connection between the Varna system and the caste system. The Vedic Varna system was divine and unchangeable, while the Hindu caste system arose from occupations and was flexible until 1000 AD. Changing one’s occupation (and thus caste) was a common practice. After 1000 AD, the influence of the Vedic religion began to plague Hinduism. Unfortunate incidents like a series of famines, which deteriorated the economy, people started clinging more to their traditional occupations. Social evil like the introduction of the Balutedari system further solidified the caste system.
Sonawani also provides a history of the occupational guild system, which was the economic backbone of the country and remains largely unknown to the general public. By drawing extensively from the multi-disciplinary fields of religious texts, economic history, anthropology, religious history, and political history, Sonawani presents his theory powerfully, offering a new direction for both scholars and common people who are studying the caste system and its origins. This research is also invaluable for the movement towards caste eradication.
The book includes forewords by Dr. Sanjeev Sabhlok and Dr. Shripad Bhalchandra Joshi, who have praised Sonawani’s fresh perspective. Understanding that the Vedic religion and Hindu religion are not the same, and how this misunderstanding has confused them and has led to misconceptions about the origin of caste. This scholarly book will be truly helpful to the activists engaged in the movement toward caste eradication.
A must read for all casteists…• Origins of the Caste System• Published by – Prajakt Prakshan, Pune, Maharashtra.• whatsapp – 9890956695
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