How did British rule affect the caste system in India?

by Redpandaisy

I know that the British made several laws restricting rights based on the caste system, but to what extent did they strengthen or weaken the caste system?

Was there more or less potential for caste mobility before or during British rule?

drylaw

You might be interested in this earlier answer I wrote on British influences on the caste system, especially the 1st part. The tendency in colonial times was towards selecting specific elements as well as reifying pre-colonial customs.