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varna
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
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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. Seventeenth-century illustration from the Mahabharata showing Krishna, with blue skin, driving a white horse-drawn chariot as Arjuna sits behind him holding a bow. Dayananda Saraswati Mahatma Gandhi Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

varna: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • Charles Preston
    Charles Preston is Associate Editor for Religion at Encyclopædia Britannica.
  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Invalidated site: Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research - Analytical Study of Varna system in Indian Philosophical Tradition. Oct 08, 2026
Corrections for style and new media added. Apr 02, 2025
Added quotations and expanded the discussion of modern interpretations. Mar 28, 2025
Add new Web site: PhilArchive - Varna ? Jāti Interconnection: Some Reflections on Caste and Indian Tradition (PDF). Jan 24, 2025
Add new Web site: Florida State College at Jacksonville Pressbooks - World Religions - Caste System in Ancient India. May 15, 2024
Add new Web site: Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research - Analytical Study of Varna system in Indian Philosophical Tradition. Dec 22, 2023
Add new Web site: Academia - Varna � Jāti Interconnection: Some Reflections on Caste and Indian Tradition. Oct 27, 2023
Add new Web site: Khan Academy - Varnas and the Caste System. Aug 18, 2023
Media removed. Feb 23, 2021
Media added. Sep 22, 2020
Add new Web site: Fact Monster - World - Varna. Feb 15, 2011
Article revised to mention that the Aryan invasion theory has been discredited since the mid-20th century. Mar 01, 2010
Article revised and updated. Mar 01, 2007
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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