What is a Caste System? By Anthony Hopkins What is meant by caste system? A caste is a class structure that is determined by birth. Loosely, it means that in some societies, if your parents are poor, you're going to be poor, too. Same goes for being rich, if you're a glass-half-full person. The Origins of the Caste System According to one long-held theory about the origins of South Asia's caste system , Aryans from central Asia invaded South Asia and introduced the caste system as a means of controlling the local populations. The Aryans defined key roles in society, then assigned groups of people to them. What is an example of a caste system? A caste system , then, is a social structure in which people belong to such social categories; historically, an example is the caste system of India. ... Interaction between people of different castes ...