Indian Caste System Dbq

Thousands of years ago, Indian society developed into a complex system based on different classes. This system was known as the Caste System. It separated Indians into different castes based on what class were born into. As thousands of years went by, this system grew larger and became further complex (Wadley 189). This system caused frustration for the Indian citizens because they were receiving inequality. Not only did the inequality and separation of the Indian society frustrate the citizens of India, but the imperialism Britain had upon them as well. In the early 20th century, Indian nationalists wanted to take a stand against the British rule and make India independent. The British created unfair laws that created a nationalist movement
He believed that there should not be a Caste System because of one’s birth. Gandhi specifically opposed the untouchable class because of the lack of respect and humanity these people received. Gandhi once described his thoughts about untouchables, “God never made man that he may consider another man as an untouchable” (Document 4). Gandhi believed that God never made one man better than the other, he made them equal. Therefore, God did not create the idea of the Caste System, man did. The great Indian figure wanted nothing more than the untouchables (“Children of God” according to Gandhi) to receive better treatment (Wadley 202). Mohandas Gandhi also expressed once again how he felt about the untouchables, “I would far rather that Hinduism died than untouchability lived” (Document 4). In other words, Gandhi would rather have his own people (Hindus) die than the untouchable class carry on. This shows the amount of hatred that Gandhi had for the untouchable separation from society. Mohandas Gandhi also fought for the equality of women. In a document called “Gandhi and the Status of Women”, Gandhi expresses how he sees women in the Indian society, “Intellectually, mentally, and spiritually, women is equivalent to a male and she can participate in every activity” (Document 11). He believed that women were just as capable for crucial jobs as men were. Later on, Gandhi’s beliefs came to a reality. “The 73rd Amendment to the Indian Constitution empowered rural women in 1993” (Document 12). Suddenly, women’s participation in village and district councils became crucial to the Indian government. This opened up new doors for the women and Gandhi was able to prove the men who thought otherwise of the capability that these women had. Mohandas Gandhi believed that all man was equal, and he was able to show that while still unifying India. Mohandas Gandhi was also