Question

How did the caste- based society emerge

Answer 1

The caste system began with the arrival of the Aryans in India. The Aryans arrived in India around 1500 BC. The fair skinned Aryans arrived in India from south Europe and north Asia. Before the Aryans there were other communities in India of other origins. Among them Negrito, Mongoloid, Austroloid and Dravidian. The Negrito have physical features similar to people of Africa. The Mongoloid have Chinese features. The Austroloids have features similar the aboriginals of Australia. The Dravidians originate from the Mediterranean and they were the largest community in India. When the Aryans arrived in India their main contact was with the Dravidians and the Austroloids. The Aryans disregarded the local cultures. They began conquering and taking control over regions in north India and at the same time pushed the local people southwards or towards the jungles and mountains in north India. The caste system in India is an important part of ancient Hindu tradition and dates back to 1200 BCE. These different castes fall under four basic varnas:
Brahmins--priests & teachers
Kshatryas--warriors & rulers
Vaishyas— farmers, traders & merchants
Shudras--laborers