We propose a theory of the origins of India's caste system by explicitly recognizing the productivity of women in complementing their husbands' occupation-specific skill. The theory explains the core features of the caste system: its hereditary and hierarchical nature, and its insistence on...

This paper proposes a theory of the origins of India’s caste system by explicitly recognizing the productivity of women in complementing their husbands’ skills. Its interesting to know the emergence of caste system its hereditary nature, its insistence on endogamy (marriage only...