'It does not matter what younsay or your friend says - there are studies which disprove the whole Aryan origin theory. Infact it was British historians who started the Aryan crap , which was swallowed lock, stock and barrel by certain high caste hindus , because it made them seem superior. Same way as certain white americans consider themselves superior to african americans. '
The Aryan origin is very much a widespread theory accepted in commond Indian folklore etc . The North-South divide, the caste based discrimination in the past had their theories on the Aryan origin concept, it is being conventiently blamed on British by present day Historians , but the facts suggest otherwise.
'Inter-caste marriages are very common today. It is seen as an advantage to have a lower caste spouse '
Oh please.. again this is a case of an exception being passed of as common occurence. It remains in the society a shame for a High caste boy or girl to marry someone of a low caste and even Indians who have migrated to the west follow it with a passion. Just visit any matrimonial site, the caste preferences usually are very clearly mentioned, it is entrenced in Indian society even though you may deny it.
The ARyanic origin of caste is not really a racial divide -- Hinduism takes some aspects of Aryanic religions (like the gods Indra, Varuna etc.) but these are subsided in more ancient religious figures like Shiva (who is most likely Dravidian/Harappan in origin)