Most Hindus have grown up hearing that Hinduism has always had a rigid “Caste system.” This perception has been deeply embedded in school textbooks, media, and academic discourse. But is this understanding accurate?

In this thought-provoking webinar, we will explore how colonial interpretations and Western paradigms reshaped and misrepresented the indigenous concepts of Varṇa and Jāti, leading to the creation of what we now call the “Caste system.” We will uncover how terms like Casta, which originated from Spanish and Portuguese colonial contexts, were superimposed onto Hindu society and how this shaped global perceptions of India.

By unpacking this historical entanglement, the session will shed light on the importance of intellectual decolonization, inviting attendees to reexamine long-held beliefs and engage with Hindu thought on its own terms.

Join us as we reclaim a more accurate understanding of our heritage grounded in Dharma, not distortion.