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Varna System - History, Characteristics, Purpose &

Its Withdrawal!
The Varna system had been an underlying fact of Indian society in the early Vedic period. It classified
society into various hierarchies which were based on the profession of the individual and skin colour as
Varna means colour in Sanskrit language.

The topic of the Verna system is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS examination and it
falls under the General Studies paper 1 in the Indian society section.

In this article, we shall discuss in detail the varna system, its evolution, characteristics, the four principal
categories of the Varna system, and its gradual withdrawal from the subcontinent.

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What is the Varna system?

The Varna system is a social system of stratification which divides the society into various strata based
on their social and economic abilities. This hierarchical system was prevalent during the early Vedic
period. The earliest reference to the varna system can be found in the Tenth mandala of the Rig Veda.
Unlike the caste system, the varna system was not rigid, i.e., it allowed the social mobility of an
individual. Under this system, the individuals were classified into 4 categories, i.e., Brahmins,
Kshatriyas, vaishyas, and the Shudras. Each Varna had to follow its obligations and adhere to the
varna norms.
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History of the Evolution of The Varna System

The varna system came into prevalence in India with the coming of the Aryans around 1500 BC. They
were a group of immigrants who migrated from the Central Asia region into India. They were white
skinned people and in an attempt to maintain their racial superiority, they distinguished themselves
from the original inhabitants of the country, i.e., black skinned people.
The coming of the Aryans invited protests from the original inhabitants of the land which were termed
Dasas. This conflict led to the division of the group into two with an intention to enslave the Dasas.
During the Rig Vedic time itself, society got divided. A group of Aryans separated themselves from the
community and made claims for intellectual leadership. This group was termed the priest.
Simultaneously another group separated itself and made claims to protect the society which was
termed Rajanya. Thus the society got divided into three groups: the priest, Rajanya, and the common
people. The occupation was based on this social division.
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In the later Vedic period there was emergence of a new Verna termed Shudra. Information about it can
be obtained from the 10th mandala of the Rig Veda. Thus the four-fold Varna system started during the
Later Vedic period. Brahmins, Kshatriya, and Vaishyas were given the dwija status while the Shudras
were outside the purview of dwija status and were made to serve the upper three Varnas.

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Characteristics of the Varna System

The characteristics of the Varna system are as follows:
 The varna system was a hierarchical system.
 It divided society into a four-fold varna system.
 Under the varna system, people were accorded status based on their socio-economic status.
 The position was also determined based on the sacrifice and contribution made unto abiding by
the Dharma.
 The varna system was not as rigid as the caste system. A person had the option to practice any
occupation based on his capability.
 The untouchables were not considered part of the Varna system.

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Purpose of the Varna System

Under the Varna system society was differentiated into 4 different varnas. People were accorded
different varnas as per their occupation and capabilities. The classification accorded on the basis of
these parameters helped in better classification of the society. The duties have been classified under
the act which leads to the proper performance of one’s assigned duties. This leads to harmony in
society as one's duties are known properly and prevent disharmony and chaos. This helps in dissolving
the conflicts. This would eventually lead to perpetual peace, liberty and freedom, and shared prosperity.
Performance of one's applications was presumed as an underlying reason for the attainment of
moksha. Apart from ensuring harmony in society, it helps in maintaining purity among each varna.

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Four Principal Categories of the Varna System

The four principal categories of the varna system are as follows:

Brahmins
The Brahmins occupied the highest position in the varna system. They were the ones entitled to
practice sacrifices. They held the top position in terms of spiritual order. They symbolised the link
between the four varnas and the eternal entity. A Brahmin women can marry a Brahmin man, however,
she was given enough freedom to marry a man of her choice.

Kshatriya
The Kshatriya occupied the second position in terms of hierarchy after the Brahmins. They were
considered the warrior class, i.e., their main task was to fight in the fields. It was their responsibility to
protect the other three varnas from any foreign enemies. A Kshatriya was allowed to marry a woman of
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all varnas. Though a Brahman or Kshatriya woman was preferred, a shudra woman was not barred
from marrying a Kshatriya.

Vaishyas
The vaishyas were third in terms of hierarchy. They comprised of traders, farmers, and other
professionals. They worked closely with the administration to improve the living conditions by venturing
into profitable commercial opportunities. Women of this Varna, shared the burden of work by supporting
their husbands in cattle rearing, agriculture, and business, . The vaishya women were provided with the
freedom to marry a man from any varna, however , marrying a shudra man was generally not
practiced.

Shudras
They occupied the lowest position in terms of hierarchy. The main task was to serve the upper three
varnas and perform menial jobs. They were barred from practising any rituals. They were allowed to
hear and memorise the Vedas as mentioned in Atharva Veda. Some Shudras were allowed to work as
farmers and traders. The Shudra women could marry a male from any varna. However a Shudra male
could marry a woman only from the Shudra varna.

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Importance of Vaishyas in The Varna System

The Vaishyas occupied the third position in the hierarchy of social order. By occupation, they practice
trading, agriculture, and other professions. Vaishyas played an important role in the social order during
the Vedic period. They played a significant role in the process of industrialization and trading across
borders in ancient times. Apart from men, women too supported their husbands in businesses and
shared the burden of work in agricultural activities. Since they were the productive class they helped in
ensuring the wealth and prosperity of the community.

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Gradual Withdrawal from the Ancient Varna Duties

 The Varna system led to an organised community life. However, in the later years, the people of
different varnas began ignoring their obligations.
 On one hand, where Brahmins began to feel superior compared to other varnas, the Kshatriyas
were in a different kind of competition with the Kings to display their own power in society. Also,
they became reckless in their attitude and took to the practices of the Shudras.
 Vaishyas gained power from their ownership of lands. Wrong methods were being adopted by
them to earn revenue. The Shudras were being oppressed by the dwija status varnas which
made them disregard their own duties. Thus, the varna system declined in its virtues as all the
varnas distanced themselves from their obligations.
 Also, the mixing of the different varnas together ended up creating a larger single identity which
subsumed all the varnas within itself.
 The later period saw the rise of religions like Buddhism and Jainism that disapproved of the
original beliefs of the people and modified the Varna system.
 While these developments had a gradual impact on the varna system, the concepts of
westernization, equality, freedom, sanskritization and brahmanisation too had subsequent
effects, for eg, people from different varnas distanced themselves from their core obligations.
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Conclusion
The varna system acted as the standard bearer in ancient times. It helped in maintaining stability in the
system by according duties to every Varna. This system gave encouragement to the individuals to
strive for better positions as it allowed them mobility, unlike the caste system.

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