Caste System
There was no existence of caste system in Harappan or pre-historic times.
- During Early Vedic period, social divisions based on occupations had started but there was no caste division.
- During later Vedic period, occupation of individuals was the basis of classification of a society. It was divided into four varnas, namely – Brahmanas (teacher and priests); Kshatriya (rulers and administrators); Vaisya (farmers, merchants, and bankers); and Sudra (artisan and laborers). There was complete freedom and mobility for the adoption of a profession.
- Post-Vedic phase saw development of new professions which gave rise to ‘Jatis.’ But the Jati system was not ....