Question

Explain the meaning of the term caste in Indian history

Answer 1

Answer: Varna or Varn System.

Explanation: The division of the sections is as old as the history. From the period of Artiste 2000 years ago, this division is being mentioned in all the philosophies. Even in history from the period of Vedas, we can clearly see the division of classes, which is :

• Brahamans
• Kshatriyas
• Vashyas
• Shudras

These are the four categories. If we discuss it in brief -

1 Brahamans - They were the ruling class. They were entitled to perform the religious ceremonies and held a great importance in the society.

2 Kshatriyas- They were the administrative or the warrior class. They were determined to protect the boundaries from any sort of attack and maintain the decorum.

3-Vashyas- They were the working class. They were supposed to uplift the society by rendering services and maintaining the economic conditions in the society.

4- Shudras- They were the lower class, They were a subject to ill treatment and were considered as a bad omen.

Answer 2

The term caste is not an Indian word, however the caste system in India is the paradigmatic ethnographic example of caste. It has origins in ancient India, and was transformed by various ruling elites in medieval, early-modern, and, modern India, especially the Mughal Empire and theBritish Raj. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories - Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the Shudras. ... The main castes were further divided into about 3,000 castes and 25,000 sub-castes, each based on their specific occupation. Outside of this Hindu caste system were the achhoots - the Dalits or the untouchables.



:)were learning about ancient India in history at my school too