Question
What changes did Colonialism bring about in the Caste system?
Solution
- The Colonialism brought about the following changes in the caste system:
During the colonial period the institution of the caste system underwent major changes. Some of these efforts took the shape of very methodical and intensive surveys and reports on the ‘customs and manners’ of various tribes and castes all over the country. - The most important official effort to collect information and data on caste was through the census.
- The new land revenue settlements and other related arrangements and laws served to give legal recognised to customary rights of the upper Castes.
- Towards the end of the colonial period, the administration also took an interest in the welfare of downtrodden castes, referred to as the ‘depressed classes’ at that time. It was as part of these efforts that the Government of India Act of 1935 was passed which gave legal recognition to the lists or ‘schedules’ of castes.
