Bihar Caste Census 2022 - Caste Population & religion population
Bihar, with a total population of 13,07,25,310 as per the 2022 Census, presents a rich mosaic of socio-religious diversity. The OBC community stands out as the largest demographic, constituting 27.12% of the population. The state also showcases significant representation from the EBC, SC, and General categories. Castes such as Yadavs, Kurmis, and Brahmins have marked presences, with Yadavs leading in numbers. In terms of religion, Hindus are predominant at 81.99%, with Muslims also forming a considerable segment at 17.70%. Other religious groups, including Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains, contribute to Bihar's varied cultural fabric. This census sheds light on the intricate demographic intricacies and the multifaceted identity of Bihar.
Bihar Caste Category Wise Population
According to the Bihar Caste Census 2022, the OBC community is the largest demographic, with a population of 3.54 crore, representing 27.12% of Bihar's populace. The EBC community follows closely with 4.70 crore individuals or 36.01%. The SC and ST categories respectively account for 19.65% and 1.68% of the state's population, while the General category holds a 15.52% share.
| Category | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| OBC | 3.54 crore | 27.12% |
| EBC | 4.70 crore | 36.01% |
| SC | 2.56 crore | 19.65% |
| ST | 21.99 lakh | 1.68% |
| Gen | 2.02 crore | 15.52% |
Bihar Caste Wise Population
The Bihar Caste Census 2022 reveals that the Yadav community leads in population numbers with 1.86 crore individuals, or 14.26%. Kurmis come next with 37.22 lakh (2.87%), and Kushwahas follow with 55.05 lakh (4.21%). Other significant castes include Brahmins, Rajputs, and Bhumihars, each hovering around the 3% mark. Kayasthas, though fewer at 7.85 lakh, contribute 0.60% to Bihar's diverse caste structure.
| Cast | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Yadavs | 1.86 crore | 14.26% |
| Kurmis | 37.22 lakh | 2.87% |
| Kushwahas | 55.05 lakh | 4.21% |
| Brahmins | 47.81 lakh | 3.65% |
| Rajputs | 45.10 lakh | 3.45% |
| Bhumihars | 37.5 lakh | 2.86% |
| Kayasthas | 7.85 lakh | 0.60% |
Bihar Religion-wise Population(Caste Census 2022 data)
As per the Bihar Caste Census 2022 data, Hindus make up the majority of Bihar's religious demographic at 81.99% with 10.71 crore adherents. Muslims form the second largest group, accounting for 17.70% with 2.31 crore followers. Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains represent minor portions, with their population percentages below 0.1%. Additionally, a segment of Bihar's population identifies with "Others" or claims no religious affiliation.
| Religion/Count | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Hindu | 10.71 crore | 81.99% |
| Islam | 2.31 crore | 17.70% |
| Christians | 75238 | 0.05% |
| Sikh | 14753 | 0.01% |
| Buddhist | 1.11 lakh | 0.08% |
| Jain | 12523 | 0.009% |
| Others | 1.66 lakh | 0.12% |
| No Religion | 2146 | 0.001% |
बिहार जातिगत जनगणना 2022 , जाति का लिस्ट , जनसंख्या और प्रतिशत
| Category (Hindi) | Category (English) | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| यादव – (ग्वाला, अहीर, गोरा, घासी, मेहर, सदगोप, लक्ष्मी नारायण गोला) | yaadav – (gvaala, aheer, gora, ghaasee, mehar, sadagop, lakshmee naaraayan gola) | 1.87 Cr | 14.27% |
| दुसाध, धारी, धरही | dusaadh, dhaaree, dharahee | 69.43 Lac | 5.31% |
| चमार, मोची, चमार रविदास, चमार रविदास, चमार रोहिदास, चर्मरकार | chamaar, mochee, chamaar ravidaas, chamaar ravidaas, chamaar rohidaas, charmarakaar | 68.70 Lac | 5.26% |
| कुशवाहा (कोईरी) | kushavaaha (koeeree) | 55.06 Lac | 4.21% |
| शेख | shekh | 49.96 Lac | 3.82% |
| ब्राह्मण | braahman | 47.81 Lac | 3.66% |
| मोमिन (मुस्लिम) (जुलाहा / अंसारी) | momin (muslim) (julaaha / ansaaree) | 46.34 Lac | 3.55% |
| राजपूत | raajapoot | 45.11 Lac | 3.45% |
| मुसहर | musahar | 40.36 Lac | 3.09% |
| कुर्मी | kurmee | 37.63 Lac | 2.88% |
| भूमिहार | bhoomihaar | 37.51 Lac | 2.87% |
| तेली | telee | 36.77 Lac | 2.81% |
| मल्लाह | mallaah | 34.10 Lac | 2.61% |
| बनिया- (सूढ़ी, मोदक / मायरा, रोनियार, धनसारी, मोदी, करोरा, केशरवानी, उठेरा, कलवार (कलाल / एराकी). (वियाहुत कलवार), कमलापुरी वैश्य, माहुरीवैश्य, बंगीवैश्य (बंगाली बनिया), बर्नवाल, अग्रहरीवेश्य, वैश्य पोद्दार, कसोधन, गंधबनिक, बाथम वैश्य, गोलदार (पूर्वी / पश्चिमी चम्पारण हेतु) | baniya- (soodhee, modak / maayara, roniyaar, dhanasaaree, modee, karora, kesharavaanee, uthera, kalavaar (kalaal / eraakee). (viyaahut kalavaar), kamalaapuree vaishy, maahureevaishy, bangeevaishy (bangaalee baniya), barnavaal, agrahareeveshy, vaishy poddaar, kasodhan, gandhabanik, baatham vaishy, goladaar (poorvee / pashchimee champaaran hetu) | 30.27 Lac | 2.32% |
| कानू | kaanoo | 28.93 Lac | 2.21% |
| धानुक | dhaanuk | 27.97 Lac | 2.14% |
| नोनिया | noniya | 24.98 Lac | 1.91% |
| सुरजापुरी मुस्लिम (शेख, सैयद, मल्लिक, मोगल, पठान को छोड़कर) (केवल पूर्णिया, कटिहार, किशनगंज एवं अररिया जिलों के लिए) | surajaapuree muslim (shekh, saiyad, mallik, mogal, pathaan ko chhodakar) (keval poorniya, katihaar, kishanaganj evan arariya jilon ke lie) | 24.46 Lac | 1.87% |
| पान, सवासी, पानर | paan, savaasee, paanar | 22.28 Lac | 1.70% |
| चन्द्रवंशी (कहार, कमकर) | chandravanshee (kahaar, kamakar) | 21.56 Lac | 1.65% |
| नाई | naee | 20.82 Lac | 1.59% |
| बढ़ई | badhee | 18.96 Lac | 1.45% |
| धुनिया (मुस्लिम) | dhuniya (muslim) | 18.68 Lac | 1.43% |
| प्रजापति (कुम्हार) | prajaapati (kumhaar) | 18.34 Lac | 1.40% |
| राईन या कुंजरा (मुस्लिम) | raeen ya kunjara (muslim) | 18.29 Lac | 1.40% |
| शेरशाहबादी | sherashaahabaadee | 13.03 Lac | 1.00% |
| पासी | paasee | 12.88 Lac | 0.99% |
| बिन्द | bind | 12.85 Lac | 0.98% |
| कुल्हैया | kulhaiya | 12.54 Lac | 0.96% |
| भूइया | bhooiya | 11.74 Lac | 0.90% |
| धोबी, रजक | dhobee, rajak | 10.96 Lac | 0.84% |
| पठान (खान) | pathaan (khaan) | 9.87 Lac | 0.75% |
| केवट (कउट) | kevat (kaut) | 9.38 Lac | 0.72% |
| सोनार | sonaar | 8.93 Lac | 0.68% |
| कमार (लोहार और कर्मकार) | kamaar (lohaar aur karmakaar) | 8.21 Lac | 0.63% |
| हलुवाई | haluvaee | 7.95 Lac | 0.61% |
| कायस्थ | kaayasth | 7.86 Lac | 0.60% |
| चौपाल | chaupaal | 7.48 Lac | 0.57% |
| साई / फकीर / दिवान/मदार (मुस्लिम) | saee / phakeer / divaan/madaar (muslim) | 6.63 Lac | 0.51% |
| गंगोता | gangota | 6.48 Lac | 0.50% |
| बरई, तगोली (चौरसिया) | baree, tagolee (chaurasiya) | 6.16 Lac | 0.47% |
| संथाल (Santal) | santhaal (santal) | 5.76 Lac | 0.44% |
| गोंड | gond | 5.29 Lac | 0.40% |
| बेलदार | beladaar | 4.84 Lac | 0.37% |
| गोस्वामी, सन्यासी, अतिथ / अधीत, गोसाई, जति/पति | gosvaamee, sanyaasee, atith / adheet, gosaee, jati/pati | 4.83 Lac | 0.37% |
| तुरहा | turaha | 4.68 Lac | 0.36% |
| तिम | tim | 4.10 Lac | 0.31% |
| पारि गरी) | paari garee) | 3.64 Lac | 0.28% |
| रजवार | rajavaar | 3.58 Lac | 0.27% |
| गौड़ी (छावी) | gaudee (chhaavee) | 3.53 Lac | 0.27% |
| माली (मालाकार) | maalee (maalaakaar) | 3.49 Lac | 0.27% |
| दांगी | daangee | 3.37 Lac | 0.26% |
| इदरीसी या दर्जी (मुस्लिम) | idareesee ya darjee (muslim) | 3.30 Lac | 0.25% |
| सैयद | saiyad | 2.98 Lac | 0.23% |
| राजवंशी (रिसिया / देशिया या पोलिया ) | raajavanshee (risiya / deshiya ya poliya ) | 2.90 Lac | 0.22% |
| अमात | amaat | 2.85 Lac | 0.22% |
| केवर्त | kevart | 2.66 Lac | 0.20% |
| डोम, धनगड, बांसफोड़, धारीकर, धरकर, डोमरा | dom, dhanagad, baansaphod, dhaareekar, dharakar, domara | 2.64 Lac | 0.20% |
| खरवार | kharavaar | 2.57 Lac | 0.20% |
| हरि, मेहतर, भंगी | hari, mehatar, bhangee | 2.56 Lac | 0.20% |
| सेखड़ा | sekhada | 2.49 Lac | 0.19% |
| तियर | tiyar | 2.41 Lac | 0.18% |
| राजभर | raajabhar | 2.25 Lac | 0.17% |
| चुडीहार (मुस्लिम) | chudeehaar (muslim) | 2.08 Lac | 0.16% |
| लोहारा, लोहरा | lohaara, lohara | 2.04 Lac | 0.16% |
| उरांव, धांगड़ (उरांव) | uraanv, dhaangad (uraanv) | 2.00 Lac | 0.15% |
| थारु | thaaru | 1.92 Lac | 0.15% |
| बंतार (Bantar) | bantaar (bantar) | 1.88 Lac | 0.14% |
| सिंदुरिया बनिया / कैथल वैश्य / कथबनिया | sinduriya baniya / kaithal vaishy / kathabaniya | 1.76 Lac | 0.13% |
| गंगई (गणेश) | gangee (ganesh) | 1.51 Lac | 0.12% |
| कुरा (मुस्लिम) | kura (muslim) | 1.47 Lac | 0.11% |
| कसाब (कसाई) (मुस्लिम) | kasaab (kasaee) (muslim) | 1.34 Lac | 0.10% |
| घटवार | ghatavaar | 1.25 Lac | 0.10% |
| भाट / भट / ब्रह्मभट् ट / राजभट (हिन्दू) | bhaat / bhat / brahmabhat ta / raajabhat (hindoo) | 1.22 Lac | 0.09% |
| मलिक (मुस्लिम) | malik (muslim) | 1.12 Lac | 0.09% |
| नागर | naagar | 1.10 Lac | 0.08% |
| नट | nat | 1.05 Lac | 0.08% |
| चांय | chaany | 1.02 Lac | 0.08% |
| भाट (मुस्लिम) | bhaat (muslim) | 89.05 k | 0.07% |
| मारकन्डे | maarakande | 87.58 k | 0.07% |
| मडरिया (मुस्लिम) (मात्र भागलपुर जिला के सन्हौला प्रखंड एवं बांका जिला के धौरेया प्रखंड के लिए) | madariya (muslim) (maatr bhaagalapur jila ke sanhaula prakhand evan baanka jila ke dhaureya prakhand ke lie) | 86.66 k | 0.07% |
| लहेड़ी | lahedee | 84.28 k | 0.06% |
| डफाली (मुस्लिम) | daphaalee (muslim) | 73.26 k | 0.06% |
| मेहतर, लालबेगीया, हलालखोर भंगी (मुस्लिम) | mehatar, laalabegeeya, halaalakhor bhangee (muslim) | 69.91 k | 0.05% |
| तरी | taree | 67.62 k | 0.05% |
| मोरशिकार (मुस्लिम) | morashikaar (muslim) | 66.61 k | 0.05% |
| पमरिया (मुस्लिम) | pamariya (muslim) | 64.89 k | 0.05% |
| नट (मुस्लिम) | nat (muslim) | 61.63 k | 0.05% |
| बारी | baaree | 61.00 k | 0.05% |
| गद्दी | gaddee | 57.62 k | 0.04% |
| चनउ | chanu | 57.27 k | 0.04% |
| मुकेरी (मुस्लिम) | mukeree (muslim) | 56.52 k | 0.04% |
| किसान, नागेसिया | kisaan, naagesiya | 50.63 k | 0.04% |
| चौक (लिम | chauk (lim | 50.40 k | 0.04% |
| माल पहरिया, कुमारभाग पहारिया | maal pahariya, kumaarabhaag pahaariya | 48.12 k | 0.04% |
| जट (मुस्लिम) (मधुबनी, दरभंगा, सीतामढ़ी, खगड़िया एवं अररिया जिलों के लिए) | jat (muslim) (madhubanee, darabhanga, seetaamadhee, khagadiya evan arariya jilon ke lie) | 44.95 k | 0.03% |
| पैरघा / परिहार | pairagha / parihaar | 44.24 k | 0.03% |
| रंगरेज (मुस्लिम) | rangarej (muslim) | 43.35 k | 0.03% |
| देवहार | devahaar | 42.81 k | 0.03% |
| अवध बनिया | avadh baniya | 41.64 k | 0.03% |
| पटवा | patava | 41.11 k | 0.03% |
| बक्खो (मुस्लिम) | bakkho (muslim) | 36.83 k | 0.03% |
| खटिक | khatik | 32.14 k | 0.02% |
| अदरखी | adarakhee | 30.86 k | 0.02% |
| नामशुद्र | naamashudr | 30.50 k | 0.02% |
| राजधोबी | raajadhobee | 29.53 k | 0.02% |
| खत्री | khatree | 29.39 k | 0.02% |
| भठियारा (मुस्लिम) | bhathiyaara (muslim) | 27.26 k | 0.02% |
| चपोता | chapota | 25.18 k | 0.02% |
| मोरियारी | moriyaaree | 24.79 k | 0.02% |
| कोरा (Kora), मुही- कोरा (Mudi-Kora) | kora (kor), muhee- kora (mudi-kor) | 24.03 k | 0.02% |
| कोछ | kochh | 22.57 k | 0.02% |
| भोगता | bhogata | 22.51 k | 0.02% |
| मुन्डा, पातार (Munda, Patar) | munda, paataar (mund, patar) | 20.73 k | 0.02% |
| सैंथवार | sainthavaar | 20.51 k | 0.02% |
| खंगर | khangar | 20.46 k | 0.02% |
| वनपर | vanapar | 20.37 k | 0.02% |
| सोयर | soyar | 19.78 k | 0.02% |
| कलगर (शिकलगर) (मुस्लिम) | kalagar (shikalagar) (muslim) | 18.94 k | 0.01% |
| बंगाली कायस्थ | bangaalee kaayasth | 18.44 k | 0.01% |
| कादर | kaadar | 18.12 k | 0.01% |
| तिली | tilee | 17.58 k | 0.01% |
| कोल | kol | 17.52 k | 0.01% |
| जोगी (जुगी) | jogee (jugee) | 17.15 k | 0.01% |
| घेरो | ghero | 17.03 k | 0.01% |
| मिरियासीन (मुस्लिम) | miriyaaseen (muslim) | 15.42 k | 0.01% |
| कुरारियार (kurariar) | kuraariyaar (kurariar) | 15.33 k | 0.01% |
| टिकुलहार | tikulahaar | 14.62 k | 0.01% |
| कवार | kavaar | 12.54 k | 0.01% |
| नालबंद (मुस्लिम) | naalaband (muslim) | 11.90 k | 0.01% |
| मदारी (मुस्लिम) | madaaree (muslim) | 11.62 k | 0.01% |
| इसाई धर्मावलंबी (अन्य पिछड़ी जाति) | isaee dharmaavalambee (any pichhadee jaati) | 11.51 k | 0.01% |
| अबदल | abadal | 11.43 k | 0.01% |
| इसाई धर्मावलंबी (हरिजन) | isaee dharmaavalambee (harijan) | 9.71 k | 0.01% |
| ईटफरोश / ईटाफरोश / गदहेड़ी / ईटपण इब्राहिमी (मुस्लिम) | eetapharosh / eetaapharosh / gadahedee / eetapan ibraahimee (muslim) | 9.46 k | 0.01% |
| अघोरी | aghoree | 9.04 k | 0.01% |
| दरजी (हिन्दु) | darajee (hindu) | 8.56 k | 0.01% |
| बनजारा | banajaara | 8.35 k | 0.01% |
| कलन्दर | kalandar | 7.87 k | 0.01% |
| जट (हिंदू) (सहरसा, सुपौल, मधेपुरा और अररिया जिलों के लिए) | jat (hindoo) (saharasa, supaul, madhepura aur arariya jilon ke lie) | 7.78 k | 0.01% |
| दबगर | dabagar | 7.76 k | 0.01% |
| असुर अगरिया | asur agariya | 7.71 k | 0.01% |
| भार | bhaar | 7.70 k | 0.01% |
| हलालखोर | halaalakhor | 7.61 k | 0.01% |
| सोरिया पहाडिया (Sauria Paharia) | soriya pahaadiya (sauri pahari) | 7.44 k | 0.01% |
| कंजर | kanjar | 7.40 k | 0.01% |
| सामरी वैश्य | saamaree vaishy | 7.33 k | 0.01% |
| सुतिहर | sutihar | 7.32 k | 0.01% |
| माहली | maahalee | 7.15 k | 0.01% |
| खटवा | khatava | 5.46 k | 0.00% |
| गंधर्व | gandharv | 5.10 k | 0.00% |
| शिवहरी | shivaharee | 4.84 k | 0.00% |
| खरिया, ढेलकी खड़िया, दुध खड़िया, हिल खड़िया | khariya, dhelakee khadiya, dudh khadiya, hil khadiya | 4.49 k | 0.00% |
| जागा | jaaga | 4.45 k | 0.00% |
| कपरिया | kapariya | 4.31 k | 0.00% |
| धामिन | dhaamin | 3.82 k | 0.00% |
| पाण्डी | paandee | 3.47 k | 0.00% |
| बोरी (Bauri) | boree (bauri) | 3.25 k | 0.00% |
| रंगया | rangaya | 3.00 k | 0.00% |
| बागदी | baagadee | 2.96 k | 0.00% |
| गोराइत | gorait | 2.87 k | 0.00% |
| मझवार | majhavaar | 2.72 k | 0.00% |
| लालबेगी | laalabegee | 2.72 k | 0.00% |
| बेदिया | bediya | 2.65 k | 0.00% |
| मलार (मालहोर) | malaar (maalahor) | 2.57 k | 0.00% |
| भूईयार | bhooeeyaar | 2.49 k | 0.00% |
| कागजी | kaagajee | 2.36 k | 0.00% |
| कौरा (kaura) | kaura (kaur) | 2.17 k | 0.00% |
| धनवार | dhanavaar | 1.88 k | 0.00% |
| तमरिया | tamariya | 1.84 k | 0.00% |
| प्रधान | pradhaan | 1.78 k | 0.00% |
| चिक बराइक | chik baraik | 1.65 k | 0.00% |
| गुलगुलिया | gulaguliya | 1.64 k | 0.00% |
| खतौरी | khatauree | 1.52 k | 0.00% |
| मौलिक | maulik | 1.48 k | 0.00% |
| घासी | ghaasee | 1.46 k | 0.00% |
| दोनवार (केवल मधुबनी और सुपौल जिलों के लिए) | donavaar (keval madhubanee aur supaul jilon ke lie) | 1.36 k | 0.00% |
| कोरवा (Korwa) | korava (korw) | 1.36 k | 0.00% |
| परया (Parhaiya) | paraya (parhaiy) | 1.23 k | 0.00% |
| करमाली | karamaalee | 1.22 k | 0.00% |
| मांगर | maangar | 1.21 k | 0.00% |
| बैगा (Baiga) | baiga (baig) | 1.00 k | 0.00% |
| धीमर | dheemar | 948 | 0.00% |
| बड़ी (Bathudi) | badee (bathudi) | 936 | 0.00% |
| सुकियार | sukiyaar | 901 | 0.00% |
| छीपी | chheepee | 873 | 0.00% |
| किन्नर / कोथी / हिजड़ा / ट्रांसजेन्डर (थर्ड जेन्डर) | kinnar / kothee / hijada / traansajendar (thard jendar) | 825 | 0.00% |
| मदार | madaar | 778 | 0.00% |
| सावर | saavar | 723 | 0.00% |
| गोलवारा | golavaara | 596 | 0.00% |
| रौतिया | rautiya | 587 | 0.00% |
| सूत्रधार | sootradhaar | 499 | 0.00% |
| बिंझिया | binjhiya | 448 | 0.00% |
| पिनगनिया | pinaganiya | 390 | 0.00% |
| बिरहोर | birahor | 359 | 0.00% |
| परथा | paratha | 349 | 0.00% |
| कोरता | korata | 338 | 0.00% |
| धरामी | dharaamee | 312 | 0.00% |
| खोंड | khond | 303 | 0.00% |
| संतराश (केवल नवादा जिले के लिए) | santaraash (keval navaada jile ke lie) | 287 | 0.00% |
| खेलटा | khelata | 246 | 0.00% |
| पहिरा | pahira | 226 | 0.00% |
| ढेकारु | dhekaaru | 190 | 0.00% |
| विरजिया (Birjia) | virajiya (birji) | 169 | 0.00% |
| हो | ho | 143 | 0.00% |
| सीटा (सोता) | seeta (sota) | 107 | 0.00% |
| कोरकू | korakoo | 102 | 0.00% |
| जादुपतिया | jaadupatiya | 93 | 0.00% |
| भास्कर | bhaaskar | 37 | 0.00% |
Key Findings from Bihar Caste Census 2022
- Total Population of Bihar: 13,07,25,310
- Largest Caste Category: OBC with a population of 3.54 crore, accounting for 27.12%.
- Largest Specific Caste: Yadavs with 1.86 crore individuals, representing 14.26% of the state's population.
- Religious Majority: Hindus dominate with 10.71 crore individuals, making up 81.99% of Bihar's population.
- Second Largest Religious Group: Muslims, constituting 17.70% with a population of 2.31 crore.
- Minority Religions: Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains collectively make up less than 0.2% of the state's population.
Why caste census ?? Understanding the Essence of Caste Census in India
In the face of skepticism and questioning, it's crucial to understand the undeniable significance of caste census in India. It's not about perpetuating divisions but rather illuminating the existing disparities.
Acknowledging caste isn't about perpetuating casteism—it's about recognizing the deeply entrenched hierarchies and privileges that still dictate the contours of modern Indian society. From the marriages we witness to the socio-political power dynamics that influence every state's governance, the imprint of caste is undeniable.
The realities are stark. The vast majority of India's wealth and income remains concentrated within a few dominant caste groups. While there are notable exceptions—powerful families that belong to non-dominant castes—they are merely outliers in a broader trend of inequality. Ignoring the caste composition is akin to turning a blind eye to these systemic imbalances.
Moreover, a comprehensive caste census has the potential to reshape the discourse around asset distribution, paving the way for a more egalitarian India. While reservations in jobs and education have been focal points of discussions on caste-based disparities, the broader issue of asset ownership remains largely unaddressed. An in-depth caste census can spotlight these gaps, compelling policymakers to recalibrate strategies and initiatives.
As we stand at the crossroads of history, 75 years post-independence, the caste census isn't just a tool of administrative convenience—it's a beacon for change. With the data and insights it provides, India has the potential to dismantle age-old networks of privilege and foster an era of inclusivity. The path to a truly egalitarian society, one that values each citizen equally, starts with understanding, acknowledging, and addressing our complex caste dynamics.