Question

The new castes emerging within the varnas are called _______.

Answer 1

Hint: Often, Brahmins came across social/occupational groups which did not neatly fit into the scheme of social organisation mentioned in the Rigveda. Hence these communities were organised as separate groups.

Complete Step by Step Answer: Varnas within Hindu tradition can be defined as hierarchically organised social groups. There are 4 Varnas within Hinduism, and each Varna had defined roles and responsibilities in society, as well as a code of conduct they were expected to follow. These divisions were in no way watertight and examples of exceptions to these rules written in authoritative Hindu texts can be found throughout history. However, oppression of the lower castes by the upper ones has continued since the Vedic ages and persists to the present on a large scale. Primarily there are four varnas, the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas, the Vaishyas and the Shudras. The basis of classification is explained in the story of Purusha Sukta mentioned in the Rig Veda. In Ancient times priests often encountered new sections within the society. As society developed with time, cultural and technological advances took place. At the same time, society's needs also grew. As a result, new skills were being created. This meant that people started to practise different new occupations. Henceforth it also led to the formulation of new social groups. These groups very often could not be categorised within the four varnas, for example, Goldsmiths and Blacksmiths. Hence these groups were classified into Jatis. They were associated with a particular Varna based on their work and overall economic status in society.

Note: With the development of the economy new and specialised occupations began to gain importance. They had to be classified into social categories. These castes were organised as Jatis by the Brahmans.