Untouchables

Untouchables are at the very bottom of the Indian caste system. They are people who, under the system, should not be touched because they are undesirable. According to the Indian caste system, Good karma enables a person to improve his or her caste in the next life (see reincarnation). Today, caste discrimination is illegal in India but still persists in rural areas.

Untouchables may also be found in other parts of the world. Examples include Gypsies in Europe, and Burakumin (部落身) in Japan, among others.

See also

• Brahmins—priests and scholars
• Kshatriya -- warriors and nobles
• Vaishya -- merchants and farmers
• Shudra—artisans and those of the serf class.