Theme II
Caste
The missionary understanding of caste as inseparable from Hinduism, the conflation of varna and jati, and caste as obstacle to conversion.
Sub-Themes · 5
Caste as Hinduism
The claim that caste is not a social phenomenon but inseparable from Hindu theology — to abolish caste, you must leave Hinduism.
1 missionary1 reform
Caste as a Totalizing System
The presentation of caste as an all-encompassing, rigid system that governs every aspect of Indian life.XYZ
2 missionary
Varna-Jati Conflation
Reduction of thousands of contextual jatis into a rigid four-tier varna system.
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Caste as Impediment to Conversion
Missionary frustration that caste bonds made conversion nearly impossible — critiqued caste because it blocked their agenda.
1 missionary
Manu Smriti as Authority
The elevation of Manu Smriti as the definitive Hindu legal code, treating one text as representative of the entire tradition.
No extracts yet