Caste System

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India License.

The caste system is based on what was originally known as Varna System...

It is the system in Indian Society which divides the society in 4 parts...

1) Brahmins- The intellectuals of the society.. Those who use their brains for the society... All students, Teachers, priests, doctors, lawyers, scientists poets, writers etc. were and are supposed to be called as Brahmins..

2) Kshatriyas- The class of people which use their physical strength for the social purposes.. The Army personnel, Para-military forces, Police, Players, etc were and are supposed to be kshatriya OR the Warrior class...

3) Vaishyas- They are the businessmen... Those who use their brains for their own upheaval first and ten for society.. All the people who are the owners of some sort of business of their own were and are supposed to be called Vaishyas...

4) Shudras- The worker class. Those who server any of the above three are called shudras... All the people who are in government service, or who serve someone, or some institution to earn their lively hood, thus using their physical strength for their own upheaval first and then for the society were and are supposed to be called Shudras...

This is the basic classification of Indian Society since thousands of years...

It was initially done by a King named Manu...after glaciation..

Now, initially, the attribution of Varna to an Individual was strictly based on profession of an Individual... That is a person could choose the Varna by choosing the profession.. And if he changes the profession, he could change the Varna...

But as time progressed, gradually, the merit OR Profession based classification of masses transformed itself into classification by birth...

That is , the Son of an Brahmin was initially given his own Individual varna on the basis of profession he choose.. But later it became on the basis of birth. If father of a individual is Brahmin, the son automatically becomes Brahmin...

Similar to other varnas..

This was the origin of Caste system..

In further course of time, Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas became the predominant people in the society... Brahmins OR the Intellectuals, as it is natural, got the topmost respect.. This happens everywhere... Intellectuals are most highly paid and highly respected individuals.. Similarly Kshatriyas Or the warrior class became second most highly respected class.. Vaishyas OR businessmen came third..

It must be however noted that Although Brahmins received highest respect, their population is merely 3%-5 % of total Indian population.. This 5% people controlled rest 95 % only by the means of knowledge.. But never by means of power... Brahmins never had complete political power rested in their hand in history of India except twice...so out of thousands of years of Indian History, only 150 years were such when Brahmins had ultimate political power...

Rest of the time, it was Warriors...

Further moving in the course of time.. The Shudra community further divided.. Here comes the rise of the actual oppressed class, dalits.. Few shudras who belonged to lowest part of social strata were oppressed by all of them above..

I repeat ALL OF THEM.. That means even few of their fellow shudras who were NOT DALITS oppressed them.. Vaishyas oppressed them. Kshatriyas oppressed them. Of course, Brahmins oppressed them...

After 1947, when India gained her independence, special reservations were given for these classes of society known as Dalits... Slowly the social standard of their living in raising.. Although it is difficult to eradicate the system with more than 5000 years of history in mere 60 years, It is now paying off.. The dalits in urban areas at least are now completely free and equal to Brahmins with no discriminations. Even rural parts in western and southern India are having dalits with respectable positions in society.. However certain provinces in North are still a major problem...

But I am sure it will be complete eradicated within next century...

World War 2 and Indian Independence

World War 2 was single biggest reason for India's independence. Other factors simply acted as co-factors. The British suffered so greatly in World War 2 that they did not have enough men to govern the large empire. There was a generation of Indians who were educated in Nationalistic schools and were not as brainwashed as their counterparts who were educated in British Funded schools and had become important part of British government.

Large number of Indians, particularly Hindus, were enlisted in Army. Most of them were nationalistic People. The hold of British on armed forces was wavering. This is evident by the fact that Naval forces in Bombay and Air force in Karachi rebelled against British government.

These two mutinies within span of 12 months (Naval mutiny in 1946 and air force mutiny in 1945) shook the belief of British that they could hold India by force for long. The unprecedented support that Indian National Army (INA) of Subhashchandra Basu in general public of mainland was also against the forcible occupation of India by British.

The moderates, like Gandhi, were successful in igniting discontent in minds of general public of India. They made every Indian FEEL that India must attain independence. I do not agree with philosophy of Gandhi nor do I agree with his modus operandi.

But he was greatly successful in intensifying the discontent in hearts of Indians which was ignited by Lokmanya Tilak, his predecessor.

He also invented a way through which common Indian man can contribute to cause of Indian independence,Satyagraha. Common man in India is not a dare-devil. He is certainly incapable of assiduosly carrying out all the actions that revolutionaries perform and is incapable of bearing the consequences. This is partly due to the fact that Indian man loves Status quo. There has NEVER been a revolution in India, particularly in Hindu India; with notable exception of Pushyamitra Sunga.

Satyagraha enabled Common 'Status quo loving' Indians of contribute their 2 cents to the larger cause of Indian independence. It provided them necessary safety and security that their lives won't be forfeit. Hence they contributed to the movement with alacrity. However this fact cannot be ignored that in doing so, Gandhi created a Nation of Cribbers who protest and strike for all the negligible causes. He ensured that Indians won't ever protest in constructive manner as, for example, Japanese do. The authorities become senseless and deaf due to continuous protests, and the sufferers have to become audacious to have their voice heard. Thus, India has entered a vicious cycle, thanks to Satyagraha Philosophy.

All these factors contributed to the cause of Independence of India which was direct result of Pyrrhic victory achieved by British over Germany. It is common misconception that Quit India movement was non-violent. Quit India movement got over in few days it started. In these war years, common Indian were fighting in all possible ways, whichever they felt was necessary and appropriate. And most of the times, it was Violent way.

There are various instances like that of Krantisingh Nana Patil of Solapur who established parallel local governments, creating many BRITISH FREE ZONES in British India. Government could not react these attempts with great fervor as it was busy in WW2.

It is garrulous to state that Congress, Gandhi gave India her independence in Non Violent Satyagraha, as it is commonly imprimmed upon young minds in India. This is an insult to all the other people who contributed their efforts, hearts and souls for Indian independence and who did not approve the means of Gandhi and Congress hijacked by him.

It was World War 2 and subsequent enervation of British Empire along with increase of nationalistic Hindus in armed forces who were not very keen to serve under British supported by great support of Common Indian Man in all possible ways, that led to India's Independence.

The Multilayered Consciousness

Thinking, feeling are the two ways of human cognition. These are popularized by Bollywood paradigms of listening to heart, OR thinking by brains. Neurologically, it implies the positive and negative interference of lymbic system in decision making process. According to Patanjali Yogsutras, it is the medium of cognition, mind, intellect and ego (Ahamkar). In commons words it means application of logical OR emotional faculties of self while taking a decision.

Although neutral viewpoint is advised by the scriptures, it is not possible to keep it all the time, not even for an accomplished yogi. Everyone plays in these three planes. like electron which is orbiting the nucleus has specific energy levels. The electron undergoes transition in various energy levels. Electron cannot choose any arbitrary energy levels. there are permitted energy levels which it can be in which are different for different element and molecule.

Similarly, every person, although resides either in mind, intellect or ego, his permitted transitions and energy levels are unique and hardly similar to any other individual. Mind can provide same energy level with greater flexibility. Intellect is quite rigid as compared to mind it provision of similar consciousness levels for two individuals, but it does provide. Ego is something that is exclusively private or fingerprint consciousness level. unique and hence identity mark of an individual.

But the most pressing question is, what is ME? Does me imply my heart, my mind, my intellect, my ego, my instincts.. what is me?

I think it is just different plane of consciousness we are referring to.. It all depends upon the depth of the topic we are discussing. And degree of seriousness with which we treat to a particular topic at different times. The human being transits between different consciousness levels on the basis of his mood, his experience in immediate past, his nurture, his nature.

Some times, certain topic strikes the inner chords (wherever they are).. Some other times, same topic fails to make even a slightest impact..

The Transitions of consciousness

I would compare this phenomenon with transitions of electrons between different energy level in particular atom OR molecule. As long as electron is in particular orbital, it has completely become part of that orbital, so thoroughly amalgamated that the very orbital comes into existence due to the electron cloud. It is audacious to call electron a dabbler in truest sense. But it is true, however that electron does not remain in particular energy level for long, unless it is its ground state OR in simplistic terms, its resting state.

The transitions of consciousness is similar to that of such electron. It is really difficult to predict in which plane the mind of an artist is. For that matter even a scientist. And when in a particular consciousness level, the person becomes so much a part of it, so completely unified and in sync with that level that he marvels at himselves when he looks at his own creation from his normal ground state, as in, How could I do it. How could this come out of me.

Other people who do not have their creative faculties well developed, do not show the intense transitions. It is not that they do not experience such transitions. But they suppress the transiting consciousness to ground state because they value mental stability over possible creativity.

It is during these transitions, that any innovative and creative individual, Creates OR innovates OR invents OR discovers something. Coupled with the law of permitted transitions, it altogether becomes extremely complex and hence beautiful system.

This law of permitivity explains that why a particular individual can never take a particular decision OR never react to a particular situation as other person does so easily. Not only decisions, but also strengths and weaknesses of an individual is dependent upon these permitted Consciousness transition levels and sublevels. This law of permitivity also explains why few people are more versatile than others. The famous examples are that of Kishore Kumar, and Pu la Deshpande two of the most versatile artists known to India. Others, and sometimes even they marvel at their feat of being able to transit in so many consciousness levels in their life times.

Conscious mind is so much multi layered that it takes life time for a person to decipher its undercurrents. yet, it is impossible to know ourselves completely..

Vedanta asks this question in such a subtle manner..
Ko aham? Who am I..

Perhaps, answer to this question leads to answer to all the questions..
Because, perhaps, we in ourselves are everything in the entire universe/multiverse...

Vedic Epoch and War of Ten Kings

The history of India can conveniently divided into following epochs.

Vedic epoch
Puranic epoch
historic epoch

Vedic epoch comprises of all the migrations, invasions, sociology of the period of time which is immortalized in the verses of 4 Vedas. Vedic epoch is a misleading term as Vedas themselves were written in stages. Looking at the astronomical evidences and hints in Vedas, we can safely conclude that they were composed after uniform intervals of about 1500 years. The sociology goes on getting more and more complex down the time line. Aryans and non-Aryan concepts slowly start segregating as we start reading Rigveda.

The key element in Vedic epoch is that it is not a HINDU History. It is more of a diary of records written in various intervals of time.
The Concept of India and all-encompassing philosophy of Hinduism slowly goes on blooming as we read through the pages of Rigveda.

Unique characteristics of Indians in Vedic epoch of Indian history are as follows.

1) Highly observant group of people. Have made many startling observations that put the discoveries of western astronomy to shame.
2) Irrespective of the genetic ethnicity, which is highly debated, the community was more aggressive initially. But with time it mellowed down.
3) Discovery the characteristic social hierarchy that has been the trademark of Indian society because of its institution. What is impressive is the social flexibility in this Varna-institution in Vedic and, to a bit lesser extent, in Puranic epoch.

Few verses in Rigveda indeed suggest the days being 6 months long. These verses are taken by AIT advocates to explain the invasion pattern. But nowhere in Rigveda are arctic flora and fauna mentioned. Rigveda remains very much Indian in composition. Yet existence of such verses in Rigveda do elicit doubts. Any addition to Vedic literature was subjected to stringent peer-review. Since the Vedas were passed on orally, the volume was kept optimum by the means of constant review. These verses may make sense simply because they were important at the time when they were incorporated in Vedas. Had they been nonsensical, then they would not have been present Vedas. OTOH, had they been truth, they would not have been found in isolation. This enigma needs to be studied thoroughly.

The War of Ten Kings - DashaRaadnya Yuddha

The first war mentioned in the Indian history belongs to Vedic epoch.
It is famously called Dasha-Raagnya Yuddha. Dasha- ten. Ragnya-Kings. War of Ten Kings.

It is extensively discussed in 7th mandala of Rigveda.

It elaborately describes the prevailing political scenario. The alliance of ten kings which invaded Bharatas and Sudas was in fact a confederation of Vedic and Non Vedic people. The tribes like Anus (Yavans??), Bhrigus (descendents of Varuna), Parthas, Purus, were all Vedic Aryans in origin. Whereas Pakhtas, Bhalanas, Dasyus, were all nonvedic in origin.

Bhalans were the tribes near Kabul and Bolan Pass. Pakhtas were Supposedly Pathans. The name Pakhtunistan suggests this possibility. Purus were residents of Sapta-Sindhu region.

The dasyus are of particular interest. Either they were Iranian counterparts of Aryans OR they were Scythians. Although Scythians never existed in such antiquity, the reason of this speculation is the term Dahae Scythiae is used by historians to describe Scythians in modern Turkmenistan. But in all probability, Dasyus OR Dahyus OR Dahae formed one of the most important part of invading force. Given the long standing animosity between Vedics and Dasyus, it is quite possible.

Anyways, to make long story short, Few Vedic kings/clans allied with non-Vedic tribes to defeat Sudas and Purus. The invading force was goaded by Vishwamitra, the famous King who later bacame a famous sage and the composer of Gayatri Mantra.

The proper battle took place on the western banks of Parusni OR Ravi River in Punjab. The accounts in Mandala 7 hymn 18 suggests that in initial engagements Sudas's army was defeated. However, they knew their country better than the invaders. They found place to safely cross the Ravi River and come on the eastern shores. The invaders, however, found it difficult to cross the river. Indra and Varuna helped Sudas to won over ten kings.

In my conclusion, there were some untimely heavy rains which disrupted the formations of invading army. Verses mention river destroying invaders by the orders of Indra. Whatever the case, army of ten kings was destroyed during their attempt to cross the river while pursuing the fleeing army of Sudas. The commander of invading army Bheda was slain by Sudas himself.

In 7.18.19, it says that Yamuna and Trutsus came to the aid of Indra. Since Indra is god of rains, it can help OR can be helped by the means of Water and Wind. Waters of Yamuna coming to Aid Indra in Punjab is highly unlikely today. But if we accept the presence of Saraswati in between Ganga and Sindhu, the guess becomes more believable.

This battle is given place in Rigveda because of its improbability of result. Franky, not even the composers of these verses expected Sudas to win. His victory is termed as victory of Deer over Lion in 7.18.17..

The aftermaths of the battle were as usual. Sudas got the booty from conquered. The distant tribes promised to pay regular tributes. Sapta-Sindhu and Aryavarta came under the dominion of Bharatas. Perhaps this was the beginning of Indian Empire. Which later came to be known as Bharat-varsha OR Bharat after the king OR clan which unified it.

Memorable Love Story of Khushro Khan and Deval Devi

Thousands of students learning history in India are completely ignorant about this personality.
He is so much forgotten that not only the students, but most of the history teachers and enthusiasts do not know about his existence.
Here is the tale of Legendary Khusro Khan.

Sultan Allah-Ud-Din Khilji started his invasions on Gujarat from 1298 AD. The Hindu supremacy over Gujarat was gone, and the province was assimilated in Khilji empire. Similar to Malik Kafur, a good looking Hindu boy was captured and presented to sultan Allah-ud-din to serve him. Homosexuality was rampant in those days in higher classes of society..

This kid was originally Hindu. He belonged to untouchable caste (Bhangi or Pariya). However couple of Muslim authors claim that he was Rajput and not Bhangi. Anyways.. He was captured, forcibly converted to Islam and was christened HASAN.

Since he was presented to Sultan to Serve him, he was molested sexually by many Sardars of Sultan. It is said that he was so popular among these big-shot Sardars of Sultan's court that many became his close friends.

After the death of Allah-Ud-Din Khilji in 1316 AD, Malik Kafur became the de-facto ruler of the empire. Even Kafur was Hasan's great fan, and gave him the title of [b]Khushro-Khan[/b]..

Since Allah-ud-din's days, he was given command of troops and successfully completed many mission which were entitled to him. However, his magnificent rise in career from a slave boy to commander in chief of Khiljis has more to do with his affair with Allah-ud-din's son Mubarik than his qualities as good commander. After death of kafur, Khushro-Khan helped Mubarik to capture throne. Consequentially, Khushro-Khan became the second in command of Khilji empire. Mubarik was having time of his life, enjoying his days as monarch to fullest. He left administration at the descretion of Khushro-Khan. He was Sultan's most trusted man.

Deval-Devi a prelude....

Deval devi was also from Gujarat. She also was Hindu before her capture and forcible conversion. In fact she was a princess of some kingdom in Gujarat before her capture. Her mother Kamal-Devi, was captured in Allah-ud-din's gujrat invasion in 1298 AD. Her father, king of gujrat, fleed with his teen-age girl, deval-devi. Her mother was taken as wife by Allah-ud-din himself. She however married Shankardev Rao of Devgiri, Maharashtra. However, she was again captured by Kafur and at her tender age, was converted and married away to Sultan's elder son, Khijar Khan.

Her Rise to Power...

With the help of Khushro Khan, Mubarik captured throne and became king. He then added Deval Devi to his own harem by marrying her. Deval Devi became the Sultana of Khilji empire..

Mubarik was a typical Spoilt brat. His sexual fantasies were outrageous. One of the habit that he enjoyed most and which is documented is that he liked to dress up as women and dance as courtesan himself.. Amusing character...
Khushro Khan was the one strong piller of the empire.. His memories of Hindu past were not vanished. Deval Devi and Khushro Khan came closer.. Emotionally.. Here begins one of the great love story..

Great Love story... Khushro-Khan and Deval devi

It is not hard to understand why these two characters came close. They both were Hindus. They both were forcibly converted to Islam. They both were sexually molested since tender age by Muslims. They both had witnessed slaughter. And most importantly, they both were burning from within.. Destiny brought two souls together and gave them power. It is obvious that they will fall in love with each other.. And they did fall in love..

The Conspiracy begins..

Two lovers, who are ambitious and politically powerful, accompanied by a foolish king.. It is an ideal recipe for a revolution..

Exactly what stimulated both these individuals to do what they did is unknown. Even History has to speculate.. However there was a conspiracy, nonetheless..

Following events lead us to that suspicion.
1) Khushro Khan appointed his own brother who was also a Hindu Convert as governor of Gujarat.
2) He trained his personal general's Bodyguard, an extremely elite legion, about 30,000 men strong and kept them in Delhi under his own direct command.. Almost all of them were Hindus..
3) His moves were not at all welcomed by Muslim Sardars. History does not know whether these two even knew what they wanted to do.. There is a reason to speculate that a hazy picture was starting to form in their minds about what they wanted to do..
4) The reason of this speculation is that during this time, Khushro Khan quelled the Hindu Rebellions in Maharashtra by Harpal Dev Rao Yadav of Devgiri.. And he quelled this rebellion violently by torturing Harpal Dev Rao and killing thousands of Hindus.


History becomes hazy..

This period is extremely ill-documented in Indian History. Khushro Khan again undertook a Deccan conquest. however, the Unease in Hindus was beginning to boil. And few contemporary Muslim sources say that Khushro Khan was instrumental in initiating and propagating this unease against Sultan of Delhi. Muslim historians and Sources speak of Khushro Khan with utter disgust.. as a person to cut the nose of Muslims and one who will burn in hell for eternity..

Khushro Khan returns to Delhi from his Malabar conquest...

Rana Hamir of Mewar was spear head of Hindu unease.. Hindus of delhi and North were beginning to believe that Khushro Khan was up to some revolution with aide of Hindu rulers and rajputs. And Deval Devi, and Khushro Khan, were supporting this unease by ignoring it.
No one could point Khushro Khan as he was the one who defeated Hindu kingdoms in South India and extended the boundaries of Empire.. No one could Imagine that this person will not only capture throne on Delhi, but also convert this Islamic Sultanate into Hindu Empire. However this ambition was beginning to take root in minds of Khushro Khan and Deval Devi.
Sultan Mubarik was so pleased by Khushro's success that he gave all rights to Khushro Khan.. He made him the de facto ruler.. He eased the atrocities against Hindus. he gave them religious freedom to worship. He educed taxes on Hindu farmers which were in act since days of Allah-Ud-Din.. Slowly and steadily, Khushro Khan starting to rise as a messiah for Hindus. He became immensely popular among masses..

Truth is Stranger than Fiction...

The situation was so much in favor of Khushro Khan and Deval Devi that they decided to act and execute their plan.. This change was so dramatic and unforeseen that it took time for people to understand what is happening.
Khushro Khan requested Mubarik that he had captured about 30,000 hindu people from Gujrat and he wishes to bring them to delhi to convert them to Islam.. In April of 1319 AD, these people, who were in fact Khushro's personal guards, started to execute their plan, and Sultan Mubarik Was slain..

Khushro Khan declared himself as Sultan.. He married his love Deval Devi..

On 15 April 1319 AD, Khushro Khan declared.. Following are his own words translated in english..

" Till date, Even though I was forced to live as a Muslim, I am still a Hindu in spirit. Hence, I, Sultan of the throne, declare that I am no longer a Muslim. I hereby declare that I am a Hindu. I am the Hindu Samrat (Emperor) of India.. Deval Devi, who also was hindu before she was captured and forcibly converted, is my Wife and henceforth be called as empress of India."

Khuskro Khan Started calling himself [b]Naasir-ud-din.[/b] It is interesting that he chose a Muslim name..

Hindu emperor Naasir-ud-din Khushro Khan..

Hindu Emperor Nasir-Ud-Din dissolved Jaziya tax. He liberated Hindus from the status of secondary citizens in their own country. He rebuilt many temples. Many of his regiments were deployed for the protection of Hindus from Muslim attrocities. In short, he established a comparatively Just rule in India.

His allies, Rajputs, and other Hindu kings were not at all opposing him. In turn, Khushro Khan gave them opportunities to strengthen themselves.. This according to me, was the one of the biggest mistakes committed by Hindus. This was the chance to up root Islam from Indian soil.. however, Hindu kings remained confined to their own territories and nobody actively participated in this revolution by Khushro Khan and Deval Devi..

He facilitated reconversion of many converted Muslims to Hinduism.. He reinstated Rule of Peace in Indian subcontinent. His empire stretched from Afghanistan to Karnataka...

Downfall of Nasiruddin Khushro Khan..

Ghias-ud-din Muhammad Tughlaq was instrumental in Nasiruddin's Downfall.. He forged alliance with Muslims lords against an Infidel, a Kaafir, who had proclaimed himself as Hindu and had become the emperor of India. He called for a Jihad against Nasiruddin Khushro Khan.

The battle Proper..

The battle took place in Punjab when Nasiruddin committed few tactical and strategic blunders and was defeated by Ghiasuddin Tughlaq. He was Captured by Ghiasuddin tughlaq and was tortured to death. Deval Devi met the same fate..

Ending notes...

At the time of his death, Khushro Khan was barely 23 years old.. His Revolution not only stunned and stirred the political scenario of India, but demonstrated to the world that Hindus had guts not only to overthrow the tyrant Muslim rule, but to also reinstate their old right on their motherland which was raped by Muslim barbarians...