Caste
Encyclopedia article; The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, 2009
Collections:
Religious Studies, Education, Psychology, History, Literature, Philosophy, Entire Library
...groups based on heredity within rigid systems of social stratification, especially those that constitute Hindu India. Some scholars...society: (1) the Brahmans, the priestly and learned class; (2) the Kshatriyas, the warriors and rulers; (3...what were formerly large, broad, undifferentiated social classes. Below the category of Sudras were the untouchables, or...