There was never any caste system among Hindus. Varn system
was based on the tasks executed by the person. So Varn position was decided by
their profession and not by birth. This Varn system was heavily abused by
Britishers to invoke casteism among Hindus and disintegrate their unity and
brotherhood. Britishers revised and actually changed the essence of the Varn
system, giving importance to the person’s birth.
`Varn` literally means group in Sanskrit. Arya Bharat, the ancient Indian society was divided into four sections-Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra.So that no single community can take advantage of its position – unique responsibilities were assigned to each class. The tasks performed by them decided their Varn.
1. Brahmin : Gaining immense knowledge would made one Brahmin. The sages of Indian culture were all Brahmins. Besides their main responsibility was to impart knowledge and wisdom to the society. They were highly respected in the ancient Indian society. They were the advisors in the royal courts. The prosperity of the Kingdom and their people relied on their decisions. But they were restrained from using arms and ammunitions or engage themselves physically in war fares, so that they could not mis-use their knowledge and position.
2. Kshatriy : The warrior or the ruling class of the Varn System. They were the protectors of the society. The Kshatriyas were depicted as gallant, courageous and intelligent. They were the true patriots. Their main responsibility was to protect and secure the Kingdom from enemies. But they were deprived off teachings, that only the Brahmins could learn. So that they did not abuse their power to coup the Kingdom.
3. Vaishy : This was the merchant class. The economy of the Kingdom relied on the prosperity and dealings of the Vaishyas. The funding for the upkeep of Kingdom was given by them. They were also responsible for contributing money in building temples and Vedic schools for the common people. Their interaction with neighboring states helped in bridging the gaps between states; leading to harmony among different cultural states.
4. Sudr : All other classes apart from above three fell under Sudra class.They were workers of the society. The second level executional functions of Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya totally depended on this class. Weavers, stone-smiths, farmers, well duggers, constructionists, workers came under this class. They were in a way backbone of the economy of the Kingdom. They were close confidantes of Kings and Brahmins – since they were also chariot riders. They formed 90% of population of the Kingdom, so keeping them joyful and happy would mean entire Kingdom is prospering. The main purpose of Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya classes were to amicably manage the Sudras, thereby maintaining prosperity in the society.
No single class were given overlapping responsibilities to avoid abuse of their power. Among all these, attaining knowledge was a difficult task as it required judging penance, self-austerity, selfless devotion and immense patience.
Britishers found Sudra as the perfect class to break the backbone of princely states of India. Britishers after toying and fabricating Vedas, also enforced caste system among Indians. They prescribed that birth should be the parameter to avail class in the society and not their Karma, converting the harmonious Varn system into poisonous caste system – as they started referring them henceforth. The plan worked and broke havoc among majority of the population. Britishers diminished the lines laid for each class in Varn system. The harmony was abolished which lead to huge rift among classes – Sudra being most of the population suffered more. The seeds of corruption were sowed for the first time in India. After wards, they also convinced main leaders of each class – by bribe, deceit, position, authority. The selfless patriotic leaders of the class became selfish corrupt lot, which ruined princely states and lead to almost demise of Varn system – giving way to evil caste system.
`Varn` literally means group in Sanskrit. Arya Bharat, the ancient Indian society was divided into four sections-Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra.So that no single community can take advantage of its position – unique responsibilities were assigned to each class. The tasks performed by them decided their Varn.
1. Brahmin : Gaining immense knowledge would made one Brahmin. The sages of Indian culture were all Brahmins. Besides their main responsibility was to impart knowledge and wisdom to the society. They were highly respected in the ancient Indian society. They were the advisors in the royal courts. The prosperity of the Kingdom and their people relied on their decisions. But they were restrained from using arms and ammunitions or engage themselves physically in war fares, so that they could not mis-use their knowledge and position.
2. Kshatriy : The warrior or the ruling class of the Varn System. They were the protectors of the society. The Kshatriyas were depicted as gallant, courageous and intelligent. They were the true patriots. Their main responsibility was to protect and secure the Kingdom from enemies. But they were deprived off teachings, that only the Brahmins could learn. So that they did not abuse their power to coup the Kingdom.
3. Vaishy : This was the merchant class. The economy of the Kingdom relied on the prosperity and dealings of the Vaishyas. The funding for the upkeep of Kingdom was given by them. They were also responsible for contributing money in building temples and Vedic schools for the common people. Their interaction with neighboring states helped in bridging the gaps between states; leading to harmony among different cultural states.
4. Sudr : All other classes apart from above three fell under Sudra class.They were workers of the society. The second level executional functions of Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya totally depended on this class. Weavers, stone-smiths, farmers, well duggers, constructionists, workers came under this class. They were in a way backbone of the economy of the Kingdom. They were close confidantes of Kings and Brahmins – since they were also chariot riders. They formed 90% of population of the Kingdom, so keeping them joyful and happy would mean entire Kingdom is prospering. The main purpose of Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaishya classes were to amicably manage the Sudras, thereby maintaining prosperity in the society.
No single class were given overlapping responsibilities to avoid abuse of their power. Among all these, attaining knowledge was a difficult task as it required judging penance, self-austerity, selfless devotion and immense patience.
Britishers found Sudra as the perfect class to break the backbone of princely states of India. Britishers after toying and fabricating Vedas, also enforced caste system among Indians. They prescribed that birth should be the parameter to avail class in the society and not their Karma, converting the harmonious Varn system into poisonous caste system – as they started referring them henceforth. The plan worked and broke havoc among majority of the population. Britishers diminished the lines laid for each class in Varn system. The harmony was abolished which lead to huge rift among classes – Sudra being most of the population suffered more. The seeds of corruption were sowed for the first time in India. After wards, they also convinced main leaders of each class – by bribe, deceit, position, authority. The selfless patriotic leaders of the class became selfish corrupt lot, which ruined princely states and lead to almost demise of Varn system – giving way to evil caste system.
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