Gender stratification in the caste system is a fundamental feature of Indian society where caste and gender operate together to create structured inequalities. Rather than functioning independently, caste and gender reinforce one another, shaping social status, access to resources, occupational opportunities, marriage practices, and individual identities. Sociologists have emphasized that caste cannot be fully understood without examining the gendered mechanisms through which it is reproduced and maintained across generations. One of the most significant elements of caste in gender stratification is the principle of endogamy. B.R. Ambedkar identified endogamy as the defining feature of caste because it regulates marriage within caste boundaries. Women become central to this process as their sexuality and reproductive capacity are closely monitored to preserve caste purity. Restrictions on women's choice of marriage partners ensure that caste identities are transmitted from one generation to another. Inter-caste marriages, particularly involving women from dominant castes, are often opposed because they are perceived as threatening the social hierarchy. The concept of purity and pollution is another important element linking caste with gender stratification. Traditional caste ideology assigns different levels of ritual purity to various castes. Women are often considered carriers of family honour and caste purity. Practices related to menstruation, childbirth, widowhood, and dietary regulations reflect the intersection of gender and caste norms. Upper-caste women have historically faced strict controls over mobility and behaviour to maintain ritual purity, while lower-caste women have often experienced exclusion based on notions of pollution. Patriarchy is deeply embedded within the caste system. Caste