The Ancient Indian Caste System Cultural, social, religious, wealth, and political divisions have been and still are a part of all societies. The difference between the human tendency to categorize into classes and the caste system in ancient India was that the categorization was the sole basis of people’s futures. The caste system was determined based on birth and people rarely had relations with others outside their own caste. Also, each caste, or Varna, had a certain duty to contribute to society. The four castes were called Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. There are several theories on how the caste system in India began. Some historians believe the root cause was either religion−based or biological. According to Aharon Daniel,
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Their job in society was based in agriculture and trade. According to Chao, “Vaishyas were expected to tend cattle, to farm, or to trade. Like Kshatriyas, they could only learn, but not teach, the Vedas” (Chao). Their jobs and hierarchy could relate to American history; the farmers are considered lower even though their supply is a necessity for a civilization to thrive. Vaishyas were seen as the lower castes even though their jobs were very significant to having a prosperous life. Without food and trading, civilization in India wouldn’t be able to survive. The ideology that they weren’t significant even though their jobs were one of the most important led to some going against the caste-system views and supporting reformist religious beliefs like Buddhism and Jainism (Lee).
Shudras
The lowest caste was called Shudras. Their jobs were generally undesirable and labor intensive. Shudras represented the most of the populace of India (Lee). Their duty is to serve the upper castes generally as a slave or a blacksmith. According to Jayaram V, The Shudras were not able to participate in religious ceremonies or rituals as well as be able to study the Vedas or hear sacred chants (Hinduism and the Caste System). They were discriminated against greatly and were treated the worst out of the four castes.
Their job in society was based in agriculture and trade. According to Chao, “Vaishyas were expected to tend cattle, to farm, or to trade. Like Kshatriyas, they could only learn, but not teach, the Vedas” (Chao). Their jobs and hierarchy could relate to American history; the farmers are considered lower even though their supply is a necessity for a civilization to thrive. Vaishyas were seen as the lower castes even though their jobs were very significant to having a prosperous life. Without food and trading, civilization in India wouldn’t be able to survive. The ideology that they weren’t significant even though their jobs were one of the most important led to some going against the caste-system views and supporting reformist religious beliefs like Buddhism and Jainism (Lee).
Shudras
The lowest caste was called Shudras. Their jobs were generally undesirable and labor intensive. Shudras represented the most of the populace of India (Lee). Their duty is to serve the upper castes generally as a slave or a blacksmith. According to Jayaram V, The Shudras were not able to participate in religious ceremonies or rituals as well as be able to study the Vedas or hear sacred chants (Hinduism and the Caste System). They were discriminated against greatly and were treated the worst out of the four castes.