Colonialism's Impact on India's Caste System

The British didn't just rule India; they rewrote its social rulebook. Before the British

Raj, social identities like caste were often fluid and varied by region.

Then came the census. Obsessed with classifying everything, colonial officers went across the

country demanding everyone fit into a neat category. They created rigid hierarchies and

ranked castes, turning a complex social system into a fixed, official list.

This wasn't just an academic exercise; it was a powerful tool of control. By defining and

dividing the population, it became easier to govern. Much of the modern, rigid idea of caste

was cemented by this colonial project.