Re: Considering CASTE in marriages?
I think that it is perfectly natural to identify with your tribe, cultural group or ethnicity. This is natural because the Quran says that Allah has made us into tribes by which we may know one another.
However, this does not (AT ALL) means that we discriminate on one another based on race or caste.
Indeed, the Prophet (PBUH) said in his Farewell Sermon: "You are all equal. Nobody has superiority over other except by piety and good action."
I think those people, for example Rajpoots, who are well known for marrying into their castes are doing wrong because they will not even CONSIDER anyone from outside their caste. This is not only haraam because you then assume superiority over your fellow Muslims, it is also socially harmful because then you have a social group in your society who will remain isolated.