subcaste

Subcaste refers to a division within a caste used in South Asian social systems, especially in India. It denotes a more specific lineage or occupational grouping that shares customary practices and often adheres to endogamy—marrying within the subcaste. Subcastes arise from historical processes such as regional separation, occupational specialization, clan-based kinship, and linguistic identity. They may operate as semi-formal strata within a larger caste, with varying degrees of social authority or ritual status defined by local tradition and community norms. Not all castes organize into subcastes, and the number and names of subcastes vary widely by region and community.

Social life is often organized around subcaste, influencing marriage markets, ritual roles, and access to resources or prestige. Endogamy within a subcaste is common, while inter-subcaste relations can be acceptable in some contexts and discouraged in others. In modern states and diasporic communities, subcaste names may appear in census data, electoral organization, and social networks, but the importance of subcastes is changing with urbanization, education, and legal reforms aimed at reducing caste-based discrimination.

Scholars use the term subcaste to describe a structure within jati and caste hierarchies, noting that its boundaries are fluid and vary across time and place. The discussion remains contested, with some emphasizing continuity of caste-based identities and others highlighting mobility and change.