On Friday, we will recreate the social structure of ancient India, which arguably persists for many today. We will use primary source excerpts of the Rig-Veda and the Law of Manu, available here.
In Hinduism, the nature of the universe and the structure of society are closely linked. Brahman is the ultimate reality and also the name given to the highest (priestly) caste. The concept of dharma describes both cosmic law and the conduct of individuals in society, including adherence to the social order. Brahmins are considered the highest of the four main castes in traditional Hindu society, followed by the Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), Vaishyas (traders and merchants), and Shudras (laborers and servants). Brahmins' role as priests and scholars dates back to the Vedic period, and since that time, Brahmins have preserved and passed down the faith's religious rites and hymns, from father to son, with exact precision, initially through oral transmission and then by writing them in Sanskrit. Even today, Brahmin priests are the only ones permitted to conduct Hindu religious rituals at temples and elsewhere. In addition to their roles as priests, Brahmins have dominated many spheres of Indian life—intellectual, cultural, and political—as a result of their high social standing and tradition of education over centuries. Those with the lowest – actually no – social standing are the dalits, commonly known as the untouchables. have been discriminated against through history. Approximately 80% of India's population today practices Hinduism.
(Reproduced for educational, non-commercial use only by students of Early World History, the above summary of the caste system may also be found at http://www.pbs.org/thestoryofindia/)
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