Reading the Vedas tells us that Aryan society was divided into four classes, or varnas. Each class was made up of families with similar jobs and status.
At the top were the Brahmans, traditionally priests, followed by the Kshatriyas, traditionally warriors. Next came the Vaishyas, who were farmers, craftsmen, and merchants. The Shudras were the lowest recognized class. Many were slaves or servants. Below the Shudras were people who did work no one else would do. They were called untouchables. When Europeans came to India many centuries later, they used the word caste to describe India’s rigid social system.
