Re: Explanation of the Pakistani caste system..
The concept of caste system in the Hindu faith has to do with their belief in reincarnation and how a person ascends or descends statuses based on their actions.
Here is an excerpt found online:
*The Caste System is a rigid class structure based on Hinduism which is found in India. It is believed that if one leads a good life, following good karma and dharma, then they will be rewarded by being reincarnated as a person belonging to the next highest level in the Caste System. However, if one is wicked during their life, they will be demoted, and possibly even removed from the Caste System altogether. Outcasts, or [Untouchables](http://javascript: window.open(‘http://www.regentsprep.org/Regents/global/vocab/def.cfm?term=untouchables’,‘’,'status=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes, width=400,height=200’); void(‘’)
, are members of Hindu society thought to have been removed from the Caste System, with no hope of returning to it, due to their misdeeds in previous lives. Work that is deemed unclean for all other Hindus is reserved for these Outcasts.
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Caste system is a religious concept in the Hindu faith. The Sikh faith is a relatively new religion and it was founded in opposition to Hindu and Muslim belief systems. The idea of a caste system is rejected by the Sikh faith BUT the practice of caste-based stratification is a hold-over from centuries (or actually millenia) of caste-based divisions that have become a cultural norm.
For Muslims, there is no recognition of “caste” as a measure of a higher or lesser person, but yes, there is recognition of tribal affiliations. Tribal or clan associations are human nature - which family you come from and associate yourself with.
**Disclaimer: **No offense intended to my Hindu friends, if the information I have provided is incorrect, please feel free to correct the information.