varna: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As	varṇa

Photos

Infographic explaining the Varna system of India, with illustrated figures representing the five groups: Brahmin (priests, advisers), Kshatriya (rulers, military), Vaishya (merchants, farmers), Shudra (artisans, servants), and Dalit (formerly called untouchable, outside the caste system). Each group includes a brief description and a labeled example profession.

Dayananda Saraswati

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

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pañcama Brahman Kshatriya Vaishya dvija Shudra Scheduled Tribe Dalit Gaddi Gond slavery class consciousness elites aristocracy vassal samurai burakumin patrician dame proletariat