Social stratification can be found in all countries, and in many different variations. The Indian caste system has often been the subject of criticism, despite its deeply rooted beliefs in Hindu culture. “The caste system penetrates Hindu society to a level unknown elsewhere. It plays a certain role in other civilizations, but in India it has invaded the whole. It is in this sense that we can speak of the caste system as a phenomenon specific to India” (Pocock 1974: 228). However, despite criticism, the American class system has also limited its membership. The existing class system in the United States and the Hindu caste system in India share many common features, but, at the same time, they are different in many ways. A caste system is one that restricts its members professionally and socially, and it is generally unacceptable for members to marry outside their own caste. This system often devalues ​​its members based on their family history and status, with purity being the main concern leading to the creation of distinct castes (Singh 2008: 121-122). However, “the notion of a single hierarchy or multiple hierarchies based on purity and pollution is inadequate to address the reality of caste in India. It does not recognize caste inequality based on unequal access to land and political power, and the resulting exploitation of lower castes by higher castes, which is intrinsic to the system. Alternatively, it is argued that a caste's status in the caste system was determined primarily by its access to land, which also carried political power and social honor” (Singh 2008: 119). Keeping this in mind, under the Indian caste system has four major features: Caste membership is hereditary... middle of article ......tin Bouglé. Reviewed by: Ainslie T. Embree, "Modern Asian Studies 8 (2): 284 -288. Saroja, K. 1999. “Intercaste marriage and social dynamics in India: a critique”, The IndianJournal of Social Work 60 (2): 183-192. Singh, Hira. 2008. “The Real World of Caste in India,” The Journal of Peasant Studies 35 (1):119-132. US Bureau of the Census 1996. “Population Estimates,” URL. : http://www.census.gov/popest/data/historical/2000s/vintage_2006/ Accessed April 11, 2014. U.S. Census Bureau 2010. “2010 Census Shows Interracial and Interethnic Married Couples Increased.” by 28% over the decade,” URL: http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/2010_census/cb12-68.htm Accessed April 8, 2014. Van Kempen, Eva 1997. Pockets of poverty and life chances: on the role of place in the formation of social inequalities”, The American Behavioral Scientist 41(3): 430-449.