I recall, what probably was my introduction to the caste system. I was in class six or so, an eleven year old in a hostel at Mayo College, Ajmer, way back in 1980. My older cousin, who was then with Philips, had visited Ajmer and dropped in to pay the customary visit to such ‘incarcerated’ kids. Upon enquiring and finding that I did not yet have one, he appointed the local Philips dealer as my local guardian.
The rather elderly white dhoti adorned Jain gentleman, at his shop on station road, was quite the epitome of what I was not used to. In our first independent interaction, he very pointedly asked what my caste was. I had absolutely no clue was caste was, and as such presented him with a rather blank look. He was necessarily perplexed as to how to deal with me without knowing where I stood. He had a sudden brainwave and asked me. “Beta tumhara papa kya karte hain?” (son, what does your father do?). Without hesitation, I told him “Unka computers ka business hai” (he has a business in computers).
You could sense his eureka sense of achievement when he broke into a big smile and said “Achha… Bania!!!“.
I was at that time singularly responsible for bringing down my caste!