In traditional Indian society different castes formed a hierarchy of social preference. Each position in the caste structure is defined in terms of its purity and pollution. In a caste stratification system, an individual’s position depends on the status attributes ascribed by birth. Therefore, caste is the closed form of social stratification. Caste is hereditary and thus the status of the person in caste based. Society is not determined by the wealth one owns but it depends on the status of the caste in which one is born.
Each caste has its own traditional social status , occupations, customs, rules and regulations. In a caste society, there is an unequal distribution of privileges and disabilities among its members. Choice of occupation is not free under the caste system as occupations are hereditary. The members of a caste are expected to follow their traditional occupation. Caste are divided into sub-castes and each sub-caste is an endogamous group. Hence, a caste is a rigid social class into which members are born.