2 min.
Layers of Society: The Caste System
The Hindu caste system is the oldest and most well-known social hierarchy in the world. Complicated, with many rules, this system stretches back thousands of years. At the heart of the caste system is the belief that a person’s rank or status in society depends on their caste. It impacts many parts of life in India and determines what people eat, who they marry, and most importantly, what kinds of jobs they can obtain.
There are four main castes to which a person might belong: Brahman [brah-muhn], Kshatriya [ksha-tree-uh], Vaishya [vei-shai-uh], and Shudra [shoo-druh]. Brahmans hold high positions in society and are often priests, spiritual advisors, teachers, and scholars. Kshatriyas, the second-highest of the four castes, are traditionally known as warriors and take on roles in the military and government.…
