This chapter contextualises South Asian shame within historical, social, and structural frameworks, tracing its roots in casteism, British colonial rule, and patterns of migration. It examines the Indian caste system as a pervasive architecture of social hierarchy that shapes identity, social rank, and intergenerational trauma transmission. The chapter introduces the caste trauma transmission model, illustrating how caste, colonial legacies, and social stratification interact to perpetuate shame and trauma across generations. It further explores the psychological and relational impact of Partition and subsequent migration, highlighting how diasporic experiences reshape the expression and internalisation of shame. Finally, the chapter situates these dynamics within South Asian acculturation processes, analysing Berry’s acculturations strategies and highlighting how historical trauma, caste, and diaspora-specific pressures create distinct acculturation patterns and outcomes within South Asian diasporic communities.