C HAPTER 14
PROBLEM OF ISOLATION
Why has the movement of the Untouchables not succeeded? Have they no allies? If there are allies why do they not help and co-operate with the Untouchables? This is a very pertinent question and it is necessary that it should be properly understood. For answering this question, it is essential to have a very clear idea of the Hindu social organisation and the classes of which it is composed. The structure of Hindu society is a very complicated one and it would be difficult for one, whose life has not been woven into it, to know the pattern. Perhaps, a diagramatic presentation may be helpful. I give below one which, in my judgment, facilitate the understanding of the social structure of the Hindus:
Hindus
Caste Hindus Non-Caste Hindus
(Savarna Hindus) (Avarna Hindus)
Class I Class II Class III Class IV
High Caste—Dvijas Traivarnikas— Castes evolved out of the three varnas, Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas
Low Castes—Castes evolved out of the Shudra or fourth varna.
Primitive Tribes
Criminal Tribes.
Untouchables
The diagram shows that although there are innumerable castes among the Hindus, they can all be grouped under four classes. Of these four, Class I forms the Herenfolk or the Ruling Class, Classes III and IV form the subject people.