Caste hierarchy In India

I was unaware of the amorphous nature of pre-colonial caste system and the extent of colonial influence through creation of caste-based hierarchies of convenience!

The different castes in India were formally registered by the British (Madras Presidency) in 19th century during the first census of the Indian subcontinent. Prior to this, in the pre-colonial caste system, each caste had a sacred text which proclaimed that their own caste was the highest amongst all Hindu castes. It is the British who aimed to create a formal hierarchy among the Hindu castes. The British decided that if Brahmins were furthered as the highest caste it would be convenient to them since Brahmins usually tended to further themselves by aligning with the British. It is due to this decision that the universal status to Manu Smriti came about as this text proclaimed that Brahmins are the highest caste amongst all Hindu castes.

This is the truth behind the artificially created hierarchies of convenience!

Reference:

1. Viewpoint: How the British reshaped India's caste system, Sanjoy Chakravorty,
   Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48619734
2. "The Truth About Us: The Politics of Information from Manu to Modi" - book by Sanjoy Chakravorty