Social structure

Social Structure a term loosely applied to any recurring pattern of social behaviour, or, more specifically, to ordered interrelationships between different elements of a society. Social structure comprises different kinship, religious, economic, political and other institutions as well as of norms, values and social roles of the members of a society. The development of the social structure in any society is historically conditioned. The social structure of Bangladesh, therefore, needs to be analysed in that context.
Bengal is basically an alluvial land with a network of a large number of small and big rivers. The early establishment of settled agricultural economy in the region helped her people to evolve their own distinctive lifestyle. By the end of the eighth century, the people of Bengal constituted a homogenous ethnic whole, possessing a distinct language, culture, and ethos. Ethnologically, however, Bengal is inhabited by a mixed race formed by three main elements, namely, the original non-Aryan people, the Dravidians, and the Aryans. The pre-modern culture in the sub-continent developed predominantly in a rural setting and in keeping with its archaic method of cultivation. It maintained a rigid social structure based mainly on religious principles and largely characterised by caste food and caste attire.
The main caste division was between brahmans and non-Brahmans, the later being the conglomeration of different sub castes evolved through the unregulated interaction of different castes. Some believe that local Brahmans were not conversant with the Vedas and Kaibarta Brahmans from Northern India migrated here to serve as clergymen. The non-Brahman sub castes were broadly divided into three hierarchical categories, within which there were as many as forty one professional caste groups like chandal, swarnakar, tanti etc. The Muslim conquest contributed largely to the spread of islam in Bengal. The new faith achieved the highest popularity in East Bengal,