Three reasons for breaking down of caste hierarchy are as mentioned below :
(i) Urbanisation : In urban areas, people do not bother who is walking along next to us on a street or eating at the next table in a restaurant. There is a shift of population from rural to urban areas.
(ii) Economic development: As a result of economic development, the economic condition of lower castes has improved. They live in the areas where people of upper castes are living in the cities.
(iii) occupational mobility : There is a shift from one occupation to another’ usually when a new generation takes up occupations other than those practiced by their ancestors’ This has helped in breaking the caste hierarchy.
(iv) Constitional provisions : The constitution of India too prohibits discrimination on the basis of caste. so we find people of different castes working together in offices.