There are two theories scholars are still debating on about Aryan society. The first one, was that the people were believed to come from Caucasus region, and then migrate to Europe and eastward into India. The second theory or the Cultural Diffusion Hypothesis argues that Aryans originally came from Indus Valley.
The caste system consists of both Aryans and non-Aryans, hierarchically divided into four castes or what they call varnas. Below is the Aryan society structure from highest to lowest in rank:
- Brahmins (Aryans, priests/scholars/philosophers)
- Kshatriyas (Aryans, rulers/warriors)
- Vaishyas (Aryans, farmers/craftsmen/traders)
- Shudras (non-Aryans, peasants/laborers/servants)
- Untouchables (lower than peasants/impure)
New religion emerged in sixth century B.C. This challenged the Aryan caste system, until Christianity was introduced by Wester colonizers.