Introduction
The caste system in India owes its origins to the Aryan society of ancient northern India but became fixed and hereditary with the emergence of Hinduism around the third century.
The system – the religious word for which is ‘Varna’ – India is complicated but the ancient subdivisions are:
Brahmans, the priestly and learned class
Kshatriyas, the warriors and rulers
Vaisyas, farmers and merchants
Sudras, peasants and labourers
Below these groups are the Dalits, or untouchables, who traditionally perform the most menial tasks.