Question

Can you explain caste system of vedic period?

Answer 1

The institution of the Vedic caste system of Ancient India which is found among the Hindus has no parallel in the world. The ancient Iranians had some class divisions.

But the Hindu caste system with hereditary castes, interdict on intermarriage and inter-dining among various castes is unique.

The Vedic caste system in its extreme form makes the lower classes untouchable to the higher classes. This strange social system warrants our study in regard to the origin and development of Ancient Vedic Caste System of India.

Three Stages of Evolution

When the Aryans first came to India perhaps they did not know the caste system. Scholars have traced three principal stages of evolution in the caste system viz., the Rig Vedic Age, the Later Vedic age and the age of the Sutras or Upanishads.

Origin of the Caste System in the Rig Vedic Age

There is no unanimity among scholars regarding the extent of the caste system in the Rig Vedic period. V. M. Apte has remarked that caste system as such in its mature form did not originate in the Vedic period. Its development was gradual. A critical study of the Rig Veda reveals the following features, of the caste system.

There was a real distinction between the Aryans and the aborigines. The main distinction was between the fair colored Aryans and the dark-skinned aborigines. Perhaps the Aryans feared admixture with the dark-skinned non-Aryans or Dasas. They feared that such admixture would spoil their identity. The word “Varna” in Rig Veda denoted colour and not caste. If any caste distinction existed in the Rig Vedic Age, it was marked in the distinction between the Aryans and the non­-Aryans. True those different classes existed in a Rig Vedic tribe. But Kosambi has pointed out that different classes of Aryans belonged to the same tribe and they were regarded as independent members of the tribe. Even the artisans enjoyed independent status.

Basham has however taken a more critical view than others about the distinction of colour or Varna and class. He has pointed out that Varna and Sreni divisions became the basis of caste divisions. When the Rig Vedic tribes began to crack these forces led to the growth of caste divisions. In this period of transition many Vaishyas and artisan classes lost their earlier status.

Caste System in Rig Vedic Age

It is therefore suggested by scholars that in the Rig Vedic period the Aryans were divided into classes instead of castes. The class divisions were needed for economic and social organization. But class divisions were not hereditary.

Transition of the Rig Vedic Classes

Towards the end of the Rig Vedic period some transformation took place in the Rig Vedic society. The Aryans gradually migrated from Punjab to the Ganga-Jamuna Valley of Eastern India. In this process of migration the Aryans were in a state of ceaseless warfare with Non-Aryan aborigines. Under the impact of constant war the traditional political and social organization of the Aryans gave way. They were replaced by some new system. In the process of this change the petty tribal kingdoms of the Aryans were merged into the big kingdoms that grew in this period. The petty rulers of these tribal kingdoms sank to the class of warriors and nobility. The Kshatriyas grew from this warrior class. They were required to fight as soldiers of the king of these big states. With the development of civilization the mode of worship and religious sacrifice of the Aryans became elaborate and complicated. Formerly the householders personally performed religious sacrifices. But they now found it difficult due to its complicated process. A class of people called priests who were proficient in scripture and rituals performed the religious sacrifices for the householders. These priests came to be known as Brahamanas. The remaining bulk of the Aryans received protection from the warrior class called the Kshatriyas. As the Kshatriyas were responsible for defence, maintenance of law and order, the rest of the Aryans abandoned the use of arms. They also gave up the practice of performing sacrifices which were done for them by the priests. These general Aryans took agriculture, industry and trade as their occupations. They formed a vis’ or the Vaishya class. The aborigines who were outside the Aryan race were considered as the Sudras. Thus the four classes developed in the Late Rig Vedic Age.