Explanation:
The Aryans developed a hierarchical society that sorted people into social groups called varnas or castes. A person entered the varna of his or her family at birth and stayed there for life, marrying only within the varna, practicing only the professions open to the varna, and maintaining the level of ritual purity required by the varna.
There were four primary varnas:
1. The Brahmans - As the highest varna, the Brahmans had the roles of priests, philosophers, and scholars. They followed strict rules for perfect ritual purity and spent much of their lives studying and teaching religion.
2. The Kshatriyas - This was the ruling and warrior varna, made up of kings, generals, soldiers, and their families. The whole society counted on them for guidance and protection, and they were expected to learn religion from the Brahmans and maintain high standards of ritual purity.
3. The Vaishyas - This was a practical varna composed of craftspeople, traders, merchants, and farmers. They had the important jobs of growing food and keeping the society's economy running smoothly.
4. The Shudras - Unlike the other three varnas, the Shudras were not Aryan by blood. Therefore, they were the servants and laborers for the Brahmans, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas.
As time went on, one more class of people developed to complete the caste system. This class was the lowest of the low, made up of people who had violated the rules of the varnas and become ritually unclean, along with their families. Untouchables or Harijans were the outcasts of society. They were regulated to the lowest jobs, things that no one else wanted to do, like picking up dead bodies, leather work, and sanitation. They were not allowed to interact with the members of the four varnas and, tragically, they could not even practice their religion.
Hope this helps.
