Changes

Originally, caste was determined by profession, and could be changed by changing career.<ref>[http://western-hindu.org/2008/01/27/the-caste-system/ The Caste System]</ref> With the start of British colonization, caste system established by British and caste became defined by birth.<ref>de Zwart, Frank (July 2000). "The Logic of Affirmative Action: Caste, Class and Quotas in India". Acta Sociologica 43 (3): 235–249.</ref>

Originally, caste was determined by profession, and could be changed by changing career.<ref>[http://western-hindu.org/2008/01/27/the-caste-system/ The Caste System]</ref> With the start of British colonization, caste system established by British and caste became defined by birth.<ref>de Zwart, Frank (July 2000). "The Logic of Affirmative Action: Caste, Class and Quotas in India". Acta Sociologica 43 (3): 235–249.</ref>

''Shudras'' were the lowest caste and were denied of many rights in past. Apart from these four main castes, there was a new addition in the modern distortion of the caste system, as the lowest caste called the ''Dalit'' (Untouchables).<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/living/caste.shtml The caste system] ''BBC''</ref> Historically these ''dalits'' are the victims of discrimination by higher castes, to this day.<ref>[http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/1954/44/ Dalits face discrimination in southern Tamil Nadu] ''All India Christian Council''</ref><ref>[http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2007/02/13/india15303.htm India: ‘Hidden Apartheid’ of Discrimination Against Dalits] ''[[Human Rights Watch]]''</ref> Despite this, there has been large amount appreciation towards the caste system, especially because it differed from the racial system such as ''casta'' of Spain, admirers includes the notable personalities such as Annie Besant, P.D. Ouspensky, Pandurang Shastri Athavale and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Friedrich Nietzsche is noted to have said "Close the Bible and open the Manu Smriti."<ref>Friedrich Nietzsche, ''The Will to Power,'' vol. 1.</ref>

''Shudras'' were the lowest caste and were denied of many rights in past. Apart from these four main castes, there was a new addition in the modern distortion of the caste system, as the lowest caste called the ''Dalit'' ([[Untouchables]]).<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/living/caste.shtml The caste system] ''BBC''</ref> Historically these ''dalits'' are the victims of discrimination by higher castes, to this day.<ref>[http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/1954/44/ Dalits face discrimination in southern Tamil Nadu] ''All India Christian Council''</ref><ref>[http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2007/02/13/india15303.htm India: ‘Hidden Apartheid’ of Discrimination Against Dalits] ''[[Human Rights Watch]]''</ref> Despite this, there has been large amount appreciation towards the caste system, especially because it differed from the racial system such as ''casta'' of Spain, admirers includes the notable personalities such as Annie Besant, P.D. Ouspensky, Pandurang Shastri Athavale and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Friedrich Nietzsche is noted to have said "Close the Bible and open the Manu Smriti."<ref>Friedrich Nietzsche, ''The Will to Power,'' vol. 1.</ref>

==Hinduism and abortion==

==Hinduism and abortion==

The teachings of Hinduism exact non-violence. Hinduism is generally opposed to [[abortion]] except if the life of the mother is at risk.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/hinduethics/abortion_1.shtml</ref>

The teachings of Hinduism exact [[non-violence]]. Hinduism is generally opposed to [[abortion]] except if the life of the mother is at risk.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/hinduethics/abortion_1.shtml</ref>

==See Also==

==See Also==

* [[Dharma]]

* [[Dharma]]

* [[Six philosophies of India]]

* [[Six philosophies of India]]: [[Vedant]], [[Buddhism]]

* [[Vedas]]

* [[Vedas]]

* [[Upanishads]]

* [[Upanishads]]

* [[Bhagavad Gita]] of the [[Mahabharata]]

* [[Bhagavad Gita]] of the [[Mahabharata]]

* [[Hinduism]]

* [[Hinduism]]

* [[Caste system]] of [[India]]

* [[Caste system]] of [[India]]

* [[Hinduism and evolution]]

* [[Hinduism and evolution]]

== External links ==

== External links ==