A UNIQUE CASTE HIERARCHY IN ANCIENT INDIA

1. A Unique Caste Hierarchy In Ancient India Caste System in Ancient India It represents the hierarchy of Caste - the Brahmins (priests and scholars) occupying the topmost position and the rest namely Kshatriya (kings, governors, and warriors), Vaishya (cattle herders, agriculturists, artisans, and merchants) and Sudras coming in descending order. From this it has been concluded that the Sudra caste (laborers and service providers). It indicates the colour, type, order or class of people. It reinforced the idea that lifestyles, occupations, ritual statuses, and social statuses were inherited. Caste System in Vedic Age The Vedas were ancient scriptures, written in the Sanskrit language, which contained hymns, philosophies, and rituals handed down to the priests of the Vedic religion. The low position, accorded to people like blacksmiths, tanners, butchers in the Smriti literature, are not found in the Vedas. The term 'dasa' seems to be the designation of a section of powerful non-Aryans who used to cause trouble to the Aryans. Dasas are stated to have been wealthy and lived in cities Caste System in Age of Brahmanas The Brahmanas confirm the fact that Sudras were called dasas. Those among them who did not surrender to the Aryans were termed dasyus (robbers). In the Brahmanas it has been found that Sudras were servants by occupation and that he could be ejected from a place or even slain at will. Priests, gurus, rishis, teachers, and scholars constituted the Brahmin. Caste System in Age of Epics Ramayana clearly indicates the Aryan expansion into South India and also hints at the use of military force in this process. The epic also makes it clear that the Dravidian culture was also equally superior. The Mahabharata shows that by that time the whole of India was Aryanised. It also provides us information regarding the various states existing at that time. The life of the Epics tells us that the Aryans were no longer divided into small clans or tribes, and powerful states like Panchalas, Pandus, Kosalas, Kashih had come into existence. Far reaching changes took place in the religion of the people during the Epic period. The Vedic god and goddesses receded to the background and new gods and goddesses began to worshipped. Important’ god and goddesses of the Epic age were Brahma, Vishnu, Siva, Ganesh, Lakshmi and Parvati. For more interesting info - https://www.indianetzone.com/50/caste_system_ancient_india.htm