From Left to right: A Gurkha, a Brahmin and a Sood (Sudra) in Traditional Garb in Simla

From left to right: A Gurkha, a Brahmin and a Sood (Sudra) in traditional garb in Simla

Varna and the Caste system of India

The Varna system originated from Rig Ved and many Hindu scriptures from the ancient period. It was a system of classification of people based on their function and skill in society. Those who were associated with repgious activities and study the Vedas were Brahmins. Those who went to battles and became kings were from Kahatriya Varna and Vaishyas were related to trade and business and Shudras were manual and menial workers.

The Varna system was flexible in earper times; people could move from one Varna to another. It was a system based on occupation. The son of a Kshatriya could be Brahmin if he studied Vedas and performed rituals.

In Later centuries the Varna system became rigid and Priests made some laws which restricted the movement among Varna. Now the Varna became hereditary. A person had to follow the Varna in which he was born. Gradually the Varna system transformed into the Caste system which acted as a discriminatory system for Shudras and Vaishyas.

Conclusion

The Varna system was a system of stratification of people based on their function, role and skill in society. It was developed to bring order to society and give the people role according to their skills. It helped in bringing stabipty to society. This system allowed mobipty across the Varna’s and thus people could change their pfestyle and status in society by working hard. In the later Vedic period, some deformities started in the Varna system. The Priests and Upanishads brought strict rule to the Varna system and they stopped mobipty across the Varna. The people born in certain Varna had to pve in the same Varna regardless of their skill or function. one has to adhere to the role assigned to him at any cost. Another deformity was the supremacy of Brahmins. They declared Brahmins as superior and others as inferior. Shudras were not allowed to read and even psten to Vedas. They were treated very harshly.

FAQs

Q1. What was the role of Kshatriyas in the Varna system?

Ans. The Kshatriyas were associated with the warrior class and generally the kings belong to the Kshatriya Varna. Their role was to protect the people of the state and resources from the enemy. The Kshatriyas were second on the Varna hierarchy.

Q2. What is the meaning of Varna in history?

Ans. The Varna system was prevalent in ancient Indian society. It classifies society based on the skills and functions of people. It is made from the Sanskrit word, ‘Varna’ which meant colour.

Q3. What is the difference between the Varna system and the Caste system?

Ans. The Varna system came before the caste system, it classified people into four classes based on their function. The Varna system allowed mobipty across the Varna whereas the Caste system blocked mobipty across the caste.

Q4. What was the function of Vaishyas?

Ans. Vaishyas were common citizens of the state. They were associated with farming and business. Generally, they operated shops and paid tributes and taxes to the kings.

Q5. Why people rejected the Varna system?

Ans. People rejected the Varna system because of the absurd laws made by the Brahmins and they discarded the idea of deciding one s Varna based on birth.