Final answer:
The four castes of early Indian history are the Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, with the Dalits being outside the caste system. This structure is deeply intertwined with religious beliefs and was established during the Aryan arrival around 1500 BCE.
Step-by-step explanation:
The groups belonging to each of the four castes established early in Indian history are as follows: A. Brahmins (priests, teachers, and judges), B. Kshatriyas (warriors, rulers, or landowners), C. Vaishyas (merchants, artisans, and farmers), and D. Shudras (workers and laborers). Additionally, there existed a group outside of the caste system known as the Dalits (Untouchables or Harijan), who were outcasts or tribal groups and subjected to severe discrimination and social exclusion.
The caste system is a class-based hierarchy that originated with the arrival of the Aryan peoples in India around 1500 BCE. It was heavily influenced by religious beliefs in karma and reincarnation, with each person born into a caste that determined their societal role and status. Despite the manifold complexities and subdivisions within the castes, these four principal groups, along with the untouchables, formed the backbone of the traditional Indian social structure.