The division of Indian society into classes, called castes, originated in ancient times, survived all the twists and turns of history and social upheavals and still exists.

Since ancient times, the entire population of India is divided into brahmanas - priests and scholars, warriors - kshatriyas, traders and artisans - vaisyas and servants - sudras. Each caste in turn is divided into numerous podcasts, mainly on the basis of territorial and professional characteristics. Brahmanas - the Indian elite can always be distinguished - these people with mother's milk have absorbed their mission: to receive knowledge and gifts and to teach others.

In addition to the four castes, there are separate groups of untouchables, The most dirty work, including skin treatment, washing, clay work and garbage collection. Members of the untouchable castes (and this is almost 20% of the population of India) live in isolated ghettos of Indian cities and behind the outskirts of Indian villages. They can not visit hospitals and shops, use public transport and go to government offices

Among the untouchables themselves there is also a division into many groups. The top lines in the "table of ranks" of the marginals are occupied by barbers and laundresses, and below are the sansi, who are engaged in animal theft.

The most mysterious group of untouchables is the hijra-bisexual, eunuchs, transvestites and hermaphrodites wearing women's clothing and begging and prostitution. It would seem that there is strange? However, the hijra are indispensable participants in many religious rituals, they are invited to weddings and births.

Worse than the untouchable in India can only be the fate of the pariah. The word pariah, which evokes the image of a romantic sufferer, in fact means a person who does not belong to any caste, virtually excluded from all social relations. Pariahs were born from the union of people belonging to different castes, or from pariahs. By the way, you could have been a pariah before simply touching him.