Summarisethe social anthropological definition of caste.

The socialanthropological definition of caste was given by G.S Ghurye, whichcomprised six features. These were as follows:

(i) Casteis an institution based on segmental division. This means that thecastes were different and closed segments that comprised people of anexclusive social order determined by birth. The individuals born in aparticular caste would always remain in that caste.

(ii) Castesociety is based on hierarchical division. The caste system was basedon a hierarchical order, and each caste had unequal status ascompared to others.

(iii) Theinstitution of caste necessarily involves restrictions on socialinteraction, specially sharing of food. There were many restrictionsin the caste system based on the ideas of purity and pollution.

(iv) Casteinvolves differential rights and duties for different caste as aconsequence of hierarchy and restricted social interaction. Thesepertained to religious life and everyday practices.

(v) Thechoice of occupation, like caste itself, is decided by birth and ishereditary. It was a rigid form of division of labour. A person bornas a shudra would always remain one, however hard he worked orwhatever success he achieved.

(vi) Casteinvolves strict restrictions on marriage. The marriage between peopleof different castes was strictly prohibited and rules existedregarding both endogamy and exogamy.