Final answer:
In South and Southeast India, low castes such as the Shudras and Dalits faced historical social exclusion and poverty. While the caste system has been abolished by law, its residual effects remain, especially in rural areas. Governmental affirmative action and urban merit-based employment are contributing to its decline.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the past, South and Southeast India's social structure was characterized by a rigid caste system. The lowest castes, such as the Shudras and Dalits, faced extreme poverty and social exclusion, with restrictions on reading Vedic hymns, marriage, and accessing certain jobs. While the Dalits, also known as 'untouchables', were at the very bottom, involved in 'polluting activities' and excluded from mainstream society.
Despite the abolishment of the caste system under modern Indian law, its effects persist, especially in rural areas. Efforts by the Indian government, such as affirmative action, aim to alleviate the plight of lower castes by providing them with opportunities in education, employment, and political representation. However, these initiatives face resistance from upper-caste groups.
Religious conversions and urbanization have provided some avenues for social advancement, reducing the impact of the caste system. In urban areas, merit-based employment introduced by corporations is further eroding the caste-based social order, giving individuals more control over their careers and marriage choices.