caste system

American  

[kast sis-tuhm, kahst] / ˈkæst ˌsɪs təm, ˈkɑst /

noun

1. the rigid Hindu system of hereditary social distinctions based on castes.

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Etymology

Origin of caste system

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

There a medieval caste system has bred, not surprisingly, rebellion and the suspicion that all is not what it seems above ground.

From Los Angeles Times

Throughout his career, he fought to reform Hindu laws of the time on marriage and women's rights and to abolish the caste system.

From BBC

Her writings about Indian culture and civilisation and its caste system are ground-breaking, and are a part of the curriculum in Indian colleges.

From BBC

This difference is despite seven decades of affirmative action, India's caste system - a four-fold hierarchy of the Hindu religion - remains deeply entrenched.

From BBC

Food and food habits are sensitive subjects in culturally-diverse India as they are deeply intertwined with religion and the country's hierarchical caste system.

From BBC