Castle system - Research Paper Example

by the Vaishyas who are traders who are in turn followed by the Shudras who are simple workmen. Any other people in society are seen as relegated from the caste structure and are ostracized from regular society to ghettos around the regular settlements (Dirks, 2001). The origins of this caste system date back to antiquity with records of this caste system coming from as back as 1400 years (Lariviere, 2002). Nepal has a similar caste system in practice as that used in India. Pakistan that also neighbors India has a similar caste system that has additional classifications based on religion, sects, ethnic and certain tribal lines. Within the wider South East Asian domain, the caste system of Bali resembles that of India to a very large extent as they were arranged on professional lines too. In contrast to these, the caste systems in use in East Asia were markedly different. The caste system in China tended to vary over time with different classifications being prevalent with each new ruling dynasty. Classification levels differed from only two to multiple classifications based on a host of factors. The concept of untouchables was prevalent in China as well with certain classes being ostracized and demarcated for the lowest functions in society. The Chinese caste system continued well into the twentieth century (Watson, 2010) and most segregation occurred on racial and ethnic lines. Tibet had a caste system similar to that of China in terms of classification except the fact that the lowest classes were not considered untouchables. These serf classes had some limited freedom and mobility resulting from such freedom. In contrast to these caste systems, the Japanese had a far more rigid caste system that was composed of four distinct levels. The top most level belonged to the Samurai followed by the peasants, craftsmen and finally the merchants. The Japanese caste structure had deeply rooted historical roots along with