Introduction
INDIA’S CASTE SYSTEM WEBQUEST ACTIVITY
INTRODUCTION: Oh, middle school. Harder classes, confusing schedules and the DRAMA! You constantly have to worry about where you "fit" with the other students, and there is always a juicy argument to hear about in the hallways. You wish that everything did not have to be so difficult - why can't we just all get along?? Do we have to all group off into cliques and not talk to anyone else all year? I mean seriously, how immature!
It might be nice if we could all go back to a simpler time...maybe one of those ancient civilizations that your social studies teacher is trying to tell you about. They were too busy worrying about survival to group people and treat them differently - they never would have made it if they acted like us!
OR WOULD THEY?
Suddenly, you find yourself and your classmates in Ancient India. You realize that you are very hot, the air is dry, and you have never seen so many cows and wild animals walking around! You see a friendly looking person on the street and approach them to ask about your location...only they won't talk to you! And come to think of it, neither will anyone else! Will Ancient India be just as grouped as your school?
TASK: Your task, now that you are in India, is to discover your place in society so that you can get the answers to your questions and find your way home! Who do these people believe that you are? How should you act? Who are you allowed to associate with? And most importantly, how did you get in this "group" to begin with?
Follow the directions below to find the identity of yourself and your group mates. Once you have identified your position, follow the steps below. If all goes well, you should be back in your social studies class by the end of the period, and no one will even notice that you were missing!
STEP 1: Identify Yourself
Based on the color of card you selected you will learn what caste you are born into. Remember that the ideals of Hinduism rule everything in Indian society - harmony and peace are high ideals to the Indian people. So be kind to others always!
STEP 2: Now that you have determined your identity in Indian society, you must find your dharma, or duty, within your group by answering the questions below.
The Caste I am researching today: _________________
BASED ON THE COLOR YCARD YOU CHOOSE
1. Read about the caste system:
http://www.ushistory.org/civ/8b.asp
http://factsanddetails.com/asian/cat64/sub413/item2626.html
Why does the Caste system exist?
What are the 5 major prioncipals of the Caste System?
What are the rules of the Caste?
What happens if you break Caste Rules?
2. Possible Jobs:
http://hinduism.iskcon.org/practice/701.htm
http://www.mrdowling.com/612-caste.html
3. Main Role in Life:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/the-caste-system-in-india.html
http://www.gfa.org/dalit/the-caste-system/ (Untouchable’s information)
4. What is Moksha? / 5. How is Moksha achieved for Hindus?
http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/religion/hinduism.htm
6. How can you get to another caste from your current caste?
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/caste.aspx
7. Give an example of the myth and reality of the caste system listed in this website:
http://www.kamat.com/indica/caste/
8. Use any website to name 5 other interesting facts about your caste.
Helpful Websites:
Caste levels and how they are enforced: http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/h_caste.asp
Life of a Brahmin: http://www.peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/brahmin/
Kshatriya : http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-kshatriya.htm
Vaishya: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-vaishya.htm
Shudras: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-shudra.htm
Untouchables (Dalits): http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-dalit.htm
Caste Overview: http://www.friesian.com/caste.htm
Untouchables: http://adaniel.tripod.com/untouchables.htm