what is the caste system in hinduism

The caste system is a social hierarchy that divides Hindus into four main categories: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. The system is based on the belief that each person is born into a specific caste based on their karma and family line. Each caste is associated with specific occupations and social roles, and the system dictates almost every aspect of Hindu religious and social life. The main castes are further divided into thousands of sub-castes, and there is a whole separate caste known as the Dalits or untouchables, who are shunned from society. While the caste system originally was for Hindus, nearly all Indians today identify with a caste, regardless of their religion. The system has been challenged by many reformist Hindu movements, Sikhism, Christianity, and present-day Indian Buddhism. Although the Indian Constitution has outlawed the practice of untouchability and the Indian Government has established special quotas in schools and Parliament to aid the lowest castes, caste discrimination is still prevalent in India.