Final answer:
In the traditional Indian caste system, the Dalits, also known as the Untouchables, were responsible for the dirtiest and most polluting jobs. They faced extreme discrimination and social ostracism, often being barred from activities that higher castes participated in. Despite the official dismantlement of the caste system, its effects are still seen in some parts of India.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the traditional caste system of India, the Dalits, also known as Untouchables or Harijan, performed the dirtiest and most polluting jobs. These jobs often pertained to handling unclean items or substances, and activities associated with death, which were viewed as ritually polluting by higher castes.
Dalits were subjected to severe social restrictions, such as being banned from entering Hindu places of worship and from drinking water from the same sources as higher caste individuals. They experienced severe discrimination and were relegated to performing tasks that were considered too impure for other castes.
The fourth major group in the caste system was the Shudras, who were non-Aryan servants and peasants. They were denied access to Vedic hymns and made up over half of the population. However, even lower than the Shudras, the Dalits were outside of the traditional four-tiered caste hierarchy and often faced extreme poverty and social ostracism. Despite the caste system being officially dismantled, remnants of its social influence persist, especially in rural areas of India.
In addition to social restrictions, the caste system also imposed economic handicaps, with taxes on lower classes ensuring that wealth remained concentrated in the hands of the higher castes. Over time, some Dalits have resisted their low social status by converting to other religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, or Islam, which do not adhere to the caste system, thereby escaping the social stigma associated with being a Dalit.