Traditional Indian "Classes" (Castes)

Brahmins: Sacred Scholars

Your lineage is intertwined with wisdom and spirituality, the guardians of religious tradition, your existence bound to the divine. Your life is a harmonious dance of rites and rituals, a song whose rhythm echoes in the heart of the cosmos. You've been trusted with profound knowledge, the keepers of sacred texts, and the interpreters of life's eternal enigmas. Often revered, sometimes resented, your scholarly pursuits and spiritual ministrations remain your guiding star. On the journey of understanding, you may discover a desire to foster harmony and unity or develop a yearning to challenge the status quo.

Kshatriyas: Warriors

In your blood courses the call of duty, the pulse of valor. To protect and serve is your sacred oath, your existence a testament to bravery and honor. Sworn to defend the realm, your hands skillfully wield both sword and shield. Yet, beneath the armor, there may lie a heart yearning for peace or, conversely, a soul ablaze with the thrill of combat. You might find yourself questioning the balance of power or contemplating the weight of a crown. The exploration of such perspectives could set you apart from your contemporaries, sparking intrigue, respect, or resistance.

Vaishyas: Entrepreneurs

The hum of trade and commerce is your lifeblood. You are the masters of material wealth, your acumen allowing you to navigate the turbulent waters of the marketplace. Merchants, craftsmen, farmers - all find a home within your rank. You understand the cost of grain and the price of gold, yet in your journey, you may come to grasp the value of less tangible commodities. Perhaps a newfound respect for the laborer, the craftsman, or the soil may inspire a shift in your approach, a reevaluation of your principles.

Shudras: Laborers

Your existence is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. You are the bedrock of society, unacknowledged, yet indispensable. Your toil paints the canvas of civilization, your labor the unsung melody of progress. You might be a humble farmer, a diligent craftsman, or a steadfast servant. A call to adventure may present itself as a break from the monotony, a chance at recognition, or an opportunity to champion the rights of the underprivileged.

Dalits: The Unseen, The Unheard

You exist in the shadows, marginalized by a system that views you as impure. Your spirit, however, refuses to bow to such prejudices. From cleaning streets to tanning hides, your labor is considered menial, yet essential. The adversities you face may harden your resolve, shaping you into a force that challenges the societal norms. Your motivation might be a longing for acceptance, a thirst for justice, or the sheer will to survive and thrive against all odds. Every footstep you take towards change is a step closer to overturning centuries of prejudice.

Tribal People

You thrive in the heart of nature, untamed and untroubled by the shackles of societal hierarchy. The forest is your kingdom, the river your kin, the mountain your mentor. You may be viewed as primitive by the 'civilized' world, yet your knowledge of the land and its ways is unparalleled. Your survival skills might seem strange to those unfamiliar with your ways, but they have served you well. Driven by a fierce love for your homeland, you might find your destiny intertwined with the preservation of your ancestral ways or an exploration of the world beyond.

Context

The Indian caste system, a rigid hierarchical social structure, has been an integral part of the country's cultural tapestry for centuries, profoundly shaped by historical, religious, and socio-economic influences. In the Victorian era, it became even more complicated due to the British Raj's policies and the societal shifts that came with it.

Historically, Indian society was divided into four main castes or 'Varnas'. At the top of this stratified order were the Brahmins (priests and scholars), followed by the Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), Vaishyas (merchants and farmers), and Shudras (laborers). Beyond these four categories were the so-called 'untouchables' or Dalits, ostracized individuals who were deemed impure due to the nature of their work, typically involving tasks considered unclean or undesirable.

Yet, this system was not just about professional roles. It dictated every aspect of one's life, from the choice of occupation to social interactions, marriage partners, and religious practices. An individual's caste was determined at birth and virtually unchangeable, making it a form of lifetime social branding.

The Victorian era, marked by British colonial rule, saw the British interacting with the caste system in intriguing ways. The colonial administration recognized the caste system, using it as a tool for governance. They employed a divide-and-rule policy, often favoring certain castes over others, thereby cementing and sometimes exacerbating caste divisions.

The British also introduced new ways of measuring and categorizing India's diverse population, including the decennial census. The census, first implemented in 1871, categorized people by caste, profession, religion, and ethnicity, further reinforcing the hierarchies inherent in the caste system.

However, there were parallel threads of transformation in the Indian society. The introduction of English education, urbanization, railways, and new economic opportunities began to challenge the old caste rules. There was greater mobility among the lower castes, and a new class of educated Indians emerged. Yet, these changes were not enough to dismantle the entrenched system; rather, they nuanced it further.

The Indian caste system during the Victorian era was a complex and multifaceted social construct, shaped by thousands of years of tradition, further influenced by British colonial rule. While it began to show some signs of fraying around the edges, it remained deeply embedded in the Indian societal fabric.

Sub-Castes

The Indian caste system, fundamentally, is quite intricate and nuanced, with the four primary 'Varnas' further divided into numerous 'Jatis' or sub-castes. Each Jati was typically associated with a specific profession and had its unique customs and traditions. Here are a few examples:

Brahmins: Even within the Brahmins, the highest caste, there were many subdivisions. The Iyer Brahmins from South India, traditionally priests in temples, had different rituals, languages, and traditions compared to the Saraswat Brahmins of the Konkan coast, many of whom were scholars and teachers.

Kshatriyas: Similarly, Kshatriyas were divided into different groups, such as the Rajputs from Rajasthan, known for their warrior ethos and royal heritage. Another example is the Nairs from Kerala, a martial nobility that historically served as soldiers and administrators.

Vaishyas: Among the Vaishyas, one might find the Oswal Jains of Rajasthan, traditionally merchants, and the Gounders in Tamil Nadu, who were farmers and landowners. Their social status and economic prospects varied greatly across regions.

Shudras: The Shudra caste was the most diverse, consisting of numerous artisan and service groups. For instance, the Dhobis were traditionally washermen, while the Teli caste were oil pressers. The Kumbhars were potters, and the Lohars were blacksmiths.

Dalits/Untouchables: Considered outside the caste system, Dalits were further divided into numerous sub-castes, each associated with a specific profession considered 'unclean' or 'polluting'. For example, the Bhangis were manual scavengers, and the Chamars were tanners and leather workers.

In addition to the job-based differentiation, the caste system also had strong connections to ethnic and regional identities. For instance, the Ahoms in Assam or the Meenas in Rajasthan were associated with particular castes due to their ethnic backgrounds and regional histories.

In conclusion, the Indian caste system was not just a simplistic four-tier hierarchy but a complex mesh of hundreds of different castes and sub-castes, each with their unique identities, traditions, and roles in society. Despite these complexities, one factor remained consistent - the notion of purity and pollution that underpinned the hierarchical ordering of castes.