Caste systems have existed in various forms around the world, often based on social, ethnic, or religious divisions. Some notable examples of caste systems include:
1. India (Hindu Caste System)
The caste system in India is one of the most well-known and historically entrenched social stratifications. It divides people into four main categories, known as Varnas:
- Brahmins (priests and scholars)
- Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers)
- Vaishyas (merchants and landowners)
- Shudras (laborers and service providers)
Additionally, there are the Dalits (previously known as “untouchables”), who were historically marginalized and outside the formal caste system.
2. Japan (Feudal Caste System)
During Japan’s feudal era (particularly under the Tokugawa Shogunate), society was divided into distinct classes, including:
- Samurai (warrior class)
- Farmers
- Artisans
- Merchants
At the bottom of the social hierarchy were the Eta or Burakumin—a marginalized group whose members were often engaged in occupations considered “impure” (like butchery, tanning, or execution).
3. South Africa (Apartheid)
Though not a caste system in the traditional sense, the system of apartheid in South Africa, which lasted from 1948 to 1994, was a rigid form of racial stratification that divided people based on their race.
- Whites (highest class)
- Coloureds (mixed-race individuals)
- Blacks (the majority of the population, subject to oppression)
- Indians (South Asian immigrants)
4. Ancient Greece (Slave and Free Class System)
Ancient Greece had a system where people were classified based on their status:
- Citizens (freeborn males with rights)
- Metics (foreigners who could live in Athens but lacked full rights)
- Slaves (individuals who were owned and had no rights)
5. The United States (Historical Racial Stratification)
In the U.S., during the time of slavery and segregation, there was a deeply embedded racial hierarchy, often equating to a form of caste system:
- White (privileged class)
- Black (enslaved, then segregated class)
- Native American (subject to displacement and disenfranchisement)
- Asian immigrants (often subject to exclusion and discrimination)
6. The Roma (Gypsies) in Europe
The Roma, or Romani people, have historically been marginalized and discriminated against throughout Europe. They have been subjected to a form of caste-like social exclusion, facing laws that restricted their mobility, marriage, and employment opportunities in many European countries.
7. Mauritius (Creole and Indo-Mauritian Caste System)
In Mauritius, caste divisions still exist among the Indo-Mauritian community, especially among those of Hindu origin. Though legal discrimination based on caste has been outlawed, social divisions persist.
While caste systems in these contexts are not always as rigid as India’s, the idea of social stratification based on birth, race, or ethnicity has been a common thread across various societies.