Govind Sadashiv Ghurye, a pioneering Indian sociologist, provided one of the most comprehensive and influential conceptions of caste in his seminal work, 'Caste and Race in India' (1932). Ghurye viewed caste as a unique and complex social institution, deeply embedded in Indian society, and identified six fundamental features that characterized it:

1. Segmental Division of Society: Ghurye argued that Hindu society was divided into rigid, closed segments, i.e., castes. Membership in a caste was determined by birth, and individuals were born into a specific social stratum from which they could not move. Each segment had its own set of rules, customs, and social interactions, creating a fragmented social structure.

2. Hierarchy: Castes were arranged in a hierarchical order, with Brahmins at the top, followed by Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras at the bottom. This hierarchy was not merely social but also ritualistic, with notions of purity and pollution determining the relative status of each caste. Higher castes were considered purer, while lower castes were deemed impure, leading to social discrimination.

3. Restrictions on Feeding and Social Intercourse: A defining feature of the caste system was the elaborate rules governing commensality (eating together) and social interaction. There were strict prohibitions on inter-dining, especially between members of different castes, particularly those considered higher and lower in the hierarchy. These restrictions reinforced social distance and maintained caste boundaries.

4. Civil and Religious Disabilities and Privileges of Different Sections: Ghurye pointed out that castes were associated with varying degrees of rights and disabilities. Higher castes enjoyed numerous civil and religious privileges, while lower castes, especially the 'untouchables,' faced severe disabilities, including exclusion from temples, public wells, and certain occupations. This institutionalized inequality was a hallmark of the system.

5. Lack of Unrestricted Choice of Occupation: Traditionally, occupations were hereditary and linked to specific castes. Individuals were expected to follow the occupation of their ancestors, and there were strong social sanctions against deviating from these prescribed roles. This limited social mobility and perpetuated occupational specialization along caste lines.

6. Endogamy: Ghurye considered endogamy (marriage within one's own caste) to be the most crucial and defining characteristic of the caste system. Marriage outside the caste was strictly prohibited and often met with severe social ostracism. This rule ensured the perpetuation of caste purity and the maintenance of distinct caste identities across generations.

Ghurye also traced the historical evolution of caste, suggesting its origins in the Indo-Aryan period and its subsequent development and rigidification over centuries. While his work has been critiqued for its emphasis on textual sources and a somewhat static view of caste, his six-fold characterization remains a foundational framework for understanding the traditional structure and functioning of the caste system in India. He saw caste as a unique Indian phenomenon, distinct from class or race, deeply intertwined with Hindu religious beliefs and practices.