5.2. Urbanization and Caste

♤ It is generally held that caste is a rural phenomenon whereas class is urban and that with urbanization, caste transforms itself into class. But it is necessary to note that the caste system exists in cities as much as it does in villages although there are significant organizational differences.

♤ Caste identity tends to diminish with urbanization, education and the development of an orientation towards individual achievement and modern status symbols. It has been pointed out that among the westernized elite, class ties are much more important than caste ties.

♤ However, caste system continues to persist and exert its influence in some sectors of urban social life while it has changed its form in some other sectors. Caste solidarity is not as strong as in urban areas as in the rural areas. Caste panchayats are very weak in cities. There exists a dichotomy between workplace and domestic situation and both caste and class situations co-exist.