"where traditional religion includes a rigorous caste system" - The word caste originates from Portuguese. The Indian "caste" system was established by the Brit

"where traditional religion includes a rigorous caste system" - The word caste originates from Portuguese. The Indian "caste" system was established by the British population survey and race scientists who wanted to divide the population into various classes as existed in Europe at the time. The Indian "Jati"system is similar to English/German family names based on profession like Mason, Smith, Carpenter or Schumacher. The Indian "Varna" system is similar to the separation of the church and the state but included merchants. It was guidelines rather than a hard and fast rule. A new population of untouchables/Dalits were created by the "Criminal tribes Act" that outlawed people by birth. It is true that caste divisions and inequalities are a reality today but the solution lies in free market & economic development/mobility. This isn't something specific to India alone all ex-colonies like Rwanda, Syria .. have a minority ruling elite coopted by the colonist and the "others". The Indian "Jaati" system itself was much more flexible and mobile compared to the European class system. The church has been so successful with this narrative that today the most prominent caste clashes and segregation is in the Christian population.