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Varna System

The Varna system was an ancient classification of Hindu society based on occupation, which evolved into a hereditary caste system that ranked individuals and created social divisions. It consisted of four main Varnas: Brahmans (priests and scholars), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders), and Shudras (laborers and service providers), with Shudras facing significant discrimination and exclusion. Although the caste system is officially banned, its remnants persist in modern India, leading to ongoing debates about social inequality and the need for affirmative action.

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40 views4 pages

Varna System

The Varna system was an ancient classification of Hindu society based on occupation, which evolved into a hereditary caste system that ranked individuals and created social divisions. It consisted of four main Varnas: Brahmans (priests and scholars), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders), and Shudras (laborers and service providers), with Shudras facing significant discrimination and exclusion. Although the caste system is officially banned, its remnants persist in modern India, leading to ongoing debates about social inequality and the need for affirmative action.

Uploaded by

aryatsrishadow007
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Varna system

Varna system was a system of classification present in the


ancient times. It was prevalent in a rampant manner in the Hindu
religion. When this varna system was first put into place, it
was essentially a classification of people on the basis of their
occupation. It started as a segregation of the people on the
basis of their occupation. But it became a system where people
were segregated on the basis of their caste, color and creed. It
started as a method of segregation but did not rank any classes
higher or lower. But as time progressed the Varna system
extended its claws to segregation of people and ranking them on
the basis of their caste. The system trickled down generations.
It became hereditary after some time and the change of
profession was not an option for the people. The Varna system
gave way to several sub-castes. This gave away to the major
caste system we have in India. Although division on the basis of
castes is still banned yet some of its forms are still prevalent
in India.

Structure of Varna system

Varna system divided the Hindu society in four Varnas. They were
as follows: Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and shudras.

Brahmanas

The highest placed varna of all these groups were Brahmans.


Brahmans were the custodian of mythical secrets, rites and
chants. They were intellectual people. They bore the
responsibility to spread knowledge among all. They interpret the
Vedas. They also made sure that these teachings reached
everybody in their pure form. They performed rites and
sacrifices for the kshatriyas and the upper vaishyan society.
They generally prayed for wealth, additional children, cattle
and well being of the family also. The Brahmans were the patrons
of the Vedas. They did all their chores as prescribed by the
Vedas and followed the Vedas strictly.
After Brahmans kshatriyas occupied the next place in social
hierarchy. Kshatriyas were the warriors or the fighters. They
were given a special place in the social hierarchy. This is
because it was believed that they do a noble task by serving in
the armed forces of their nation. They were true patriots. They
were ready to give their life for their land anytime their land
requires sacrifice. Kshatriya clan were known to be very brave
at heart. They were strong and were respected in the society for
their profession. People reposed their faith in them for the
purpose of their safety. This is why kshatriya were quite
popular among the masses. It is quite intriguing to note that
history has seen many kshatriyas who accepted all people
including the shudras as their own. This is because they felt
that shudras were their countrymen only. Although there was no
love lost between these Varnas yet some kshatriyas are known to
have accepted the shudras.

The third position in the social hierarchy was occupied by the


vaishayas. Vaishayas were the business or traders, as we call
them. They were the heart and soul of cities and kept alive the
economy of that place. They made things available to all people
and that is why their importance in society cannot be noted out.
Most of the vaishayas were wealthy businessman and respected
among all. Because money is power and money can have everything
you will ever need. This is why the vaishayas were favored by
the kings and princess. Because it was very well known that if
the vaishayas stopped with their activities, the city would come
to a halt. There will be no revenue without their cooperation.

Shudras were the last among the four Varnas. They were cast
‘untouchable’ in the society. This is because they were
considered impure and adulterated. They performed the menial
functions of society which nobody willing to perform. Their role
was to keep the city clean, clean the houses of wealthy, polish
their shoes; cleaning the toilets and sewage system etc. they
lived in very unhygienic conditions and lives a life full of
torture. They built the houses of the rich yet they had no roof
on their heads. They were termed as social outcasts. At times,
they were not allowed to draw water from the village wells. Life
for them was just brutal. The ‘so-called’ upper classes looked
down to the shudras as if they were some kind of rats and
fleece, waiting to get rid of. They were excluded from the
opportunities of a normal social life just because of the Varna
they belonged to. Shudras may perform menial jobs according to
the upper castes. But for me, I will put it as that they just
cleaned the mess of the other three Verna who could not take the
duty of cleaning upon themselves. This is just a display of the
incapacity of the other three Varnas who could not perform their
jobs themselves and asked shudras to do it for them. Moreover,
stomping their self esteem is much uncalled for even when they
should actually be the ones doing it.

This Varna system had taken a very bad shape in the later
periods. It divided the society along racial lines. It devoid
many people of opportunities around them. It created a feeling
of superiority and inferiority among people. Essentially the
Vedic system was all about trust, faith and affection. Unlike
the modern society, there was no competition among the Varnas.
But the uncalled implications of Verna system like inequality,
hostility, animosity and exclusion itched deep into the minds of
society.

This Verna system is uncalled for especially in today’s society


because it’s purpose will not be understood by people today.
Even they will misinterpret this concept and accept the system
as that of a ranking system. It creates hatred among people and
till now it is prevalent in the society in the form of schedule
castes and schedule tribes. The government has uplifted their
status to these titles because they want to provide them all the
opportunities that the other people are exposed to. Seats are
reserved for them in every institution of government. But the
question is do we still need a reservation system for some
castes when our India has progressed so much. This is still a
question of major debate.
For more info visit www.studytoday.net

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