Soliciting Opinions on an Earlier Post

[OKO]

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I was going through another forum and found an interesting post, which, unfortunately, no one had replied to, and I would like to know the opinion of other members within the group. (OG thread: https://www.tamilbrahmins.com/threads/reforms-in-hindu-caste-system-by-j-ajithkumar.7480/)

Post by Ms. Yamaka:
"Dear Raju & Co:

Unfortunately, India was under the occupation of invaders since 900 AD and under Colonial power for nearly 300 years... English people as our Masters did so many bad things AND some good things - one among them is writing the Indian History (mostly as non-partisan/non-biased academics) and have done fairly a good job...

Now you people are hell bent on re-writing the known history of Caste Hierarchy in India...you have a political party - the BJP - bankrolling such efforts.

Now, please write "Your History" here by touching the following milestones!

1. Who started the Hinduism as we know it today? When was it started?

2. Is there a Caste Hierarchy in India? If so, how did it get started? How is it connected to Hinduism?

3. Who were the Architects of this Pyramidal Caste Hierarchy?

4. Did Brahmins and "Kings & Warriors" (Kshatrias?) collude to plunder rest of the people in the Caste Hierarchy?

5. Did Brahmins work with the British to codify the caste system in the Indian Legal System?
I have given my answers earlier... now you articulate yours cogently (with PROOF) and spread the blame on OTHERS!
Let's see whether it makes any sense to reasonable people here!!

Good luck.

"

P. S. This is not to incite communal issues but just a survey of people's thoughts in 2025. I have yet to share my perspective as I do not wish to make anyone prejudiced because of my thoughts and share their views openly (regardless of what side they lean towards).

 

[prasad1]

Delete

 

[prasad1]

I started the thread quoted by OP.

• Thread starterprasad1
• Start dateOct 20, 2011

Most of the members of that time have retired from this group.


The history of Hinduism and the caste system is incredibly complex, shaped by many factors over thousands of years. The caste hierarchy, which started as a relatively flexible division of labor, became more rigid over time, especially after the influence of colonialism, which further entrenched it in legal and social systems.


Regarding blame, it’s important to note that while Brahmins and kings played a role in perpetuating the caste system, the historical evolution of these structures involves many different forces and cannot be solely attributed to one group. British colonial rule, in particular, played a significant role in formalizing and reinforcing the caste system in the modern legal and administrative systems.


The historical narrative is not just about finding blame but understanding how different forces—both internal and external—shaped the India we know today.

 

[OKO]

I started the thread quoted by OP.

• Thread starterprasad1
• Start dateOct 20, 2011

Most of the members of that time have retired from this group.


The history of Hinduism and the caste system is incredibly complex, shaped by many factors over thousands of years. The caste hierarchy, which started as a relatively flexible division of labor, became more rigid over time, especially after the influence of colonialism, which further entrenched it in legal and social systems.


Regarding blame, it’s important to note that while Brahmins and kings played a role in perpetuating the caste system, the historical evolution of these structures involves many different forces and cannot be solely attributed to one group. British colonial rule, in particular, played a significant role in formalizing and reinforcing the caste system in the modern legal and administrative systems.


The historical narrative is not just about finding blame but understanding how different forces—both internal and external—shaped the India we know today.

The thread is not about the primary thread, which was regarding something else, but what people believe at present. I don't believe I had requested the initial posters to respond, but rather, I just wanted those particular questions to be answered, as that person had highlighted many of the questions asked by people. That is why it has been started as a separate thread.

I understand that you seem to have closure regarding this topic and maybe this thread to vitiates that. However, as mentioned earlier, this is not for the early members and is just something I wanted to find out. Maybe I should not have cited the post, as that seems to have a bad effect on you for some reason.

 

[a-TB]

I was going through another forum and found an interesting post, which, unfortunately, no one had replied to, and I would like to know the opinion of other members within the group. (OG thread: https://www.tamilbrahmins.com/threads/reforms-in-hindu-caste-system-by-j-ajithkumar.7480/)

Post by Ms. Yamaka:
"Dear Raju & Co:

Unfortunately, India was under the occupation of invaders since 900 AD and under Colonial power for nearly 300 years... English people as our Masters did so many bad things AND some good things - one among them is writing the Indian History (mostly as non-partisan/non-biased academics) and have done fairly a good job...

Now you people are hell bent on re-writing the known history of Caste Hierarchy in India...you have a political party - the BJP - bankrolling such efforts.

Now, please write "Your History" here by touching the following milestones!

1. Who started the Hinduism as we know it today? When was it started?

2. Is there a Caste Hierarchy in India? If so, how did it get started? How is it connected to Hinduism?

3. Who were the Architects of this Pyramidal Caste Hierarchy?

4. Did Brahmins and "Kings & Warriors" (Kshatrias?) collude to plunder rest of the people in the Caste Hierarchy?

5. Did Brahmins work with the British to codify the caste system in the Indian Legal System?
I have given my answers earlier... now you articulate yours cogently (with PROOF) and spread the blame on OTHERS!
Let's see whether it makes any sense to reasonable people here!!

Good luck.

"

P. S. This is not to incite communal issues but just a survey of people's thoughts in 2025. I have yet to share my perspective as I do not wish to make anyone prejudiced because of my thoughts and share their views openly (regardless of what side they lean towards).

In my view these are all wrong questions. Let me give an example as to what I mean by wrong questions.

if someone asks "Say Yes or no first and then explain, have you stopped taking pills for stupidity" what can be a response ?

 

[OKO]

In my view these are all wrong questions. Let me give an example as to what I mean by wrong questions.

if someone asks "Say Yes or no first and then explain, have you stopped taking pills for stupidity" what can be a response ?

yes maybe but I feel that question 4 and 5 are quite relevant. So let's refine it why don't we?

1. Does the "Hindu" identity or religion by itself perpetuate caste and caste-based discrimination?
2. Many claim the caste structure to be originally horizontal, yet, caste today has been seen in a pyramidical structure- How did this come into being?
3. Did colonialism create a solidified caste structure?
4. Did brahmins as a community by large help with the stratification of the caste and designations for personal gain or is that a myth?

This is how I had understood the questions that the initial poster had tried to bring forth. I now realise that I should have given context and worded the question in such a way as to not cause conflict as the initial post does have some biases. Hopefully this helps clarify my intention and point out what I wanted to discuss.