How did the development of the caste system affect society in India? Select all that apply.

1 Connected people through shared identities

2 Ensured equality among men and women of the same class

3 Ensured job specialization among people

4 Protected government participation for all citizens

5 Promoted fair treatment across social classes

6 Provided a stable social structure

There are 3 answers!

The correct answers are 2) Ensured equality among men and women of the same class, 3) Ensured job specialization among people, and 6) Provided a stable social structure.

The caste system established as equals people with the same class, ensuring their equality and virtually guaranteeing that they would marry within their class.

The caste system also provided a stable, though very unjust, social structure, in which citizens knew their place in society and operated within that constraint, with the added legitimacy of religion to prevent this status quo being challenged.

The caste system also ensured job specialization for its society, a major aspect of a complex civilization. This was accomplished through the fact that people born into a certain caste could only work in certain industries. It is worth noting that, aside from a violation of the rights of people to choose what they wanted to work in, this was a very inefficient system because India missed out on the many talented people born into lower castes who could not realize their potential, and was also held back by untalented men in positions of great power, born into their positions through their caste.