The Caste System
India’s caste system assigns individuals a certain hierarchical status according to Hindu beliefs. Traditionally, there are four principal castes called varnas (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras) that are further divided into many other sub-categories.
It is generally believed that on the basis of skin color, the question of caste or class differences arose between the white-complexioned Aryans and the dark-colored non-Aryans (or Dasyus). Casteism is also known as Varnashrama Dharma, and “varna” means color, supporting the theory that the origin of class was based on skin color.
