DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.31218#0338
CHAPTER XVI
CASTE IN THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
The past development of the caste system and various
aspects of its present condition have now
t Previous been described. It still remains to con-
discussions sider the possibilities of its future. But
the future can only be profitably con-
sidered in the light of the past; and it becomes necessary
to begin by gathering up previous discussions into a con-
nected account.1
When the Aryan invaders first entered India, they
were alreadv divided into three social
2. The Vedic classes, similar to those existing amongst
period their kinsmen in Iran.2 Of these classes,
two, the ruling or military class, and the
priestly class, were already recognized as superior to the
Vish, or Aryan commonalty. At first, the names of
these two classes had not been definitely fixed ;3 but
before long they* became known respectively as Kshat-
riya and Brahman. The priesthood at this time was de-
finitely a profession to which were admitted recruits from
other classes; and at this time, and for many years after,
the priesthood was subordinate to the ruling class. The
Aryan invaders brought few women with them into India,
and had to seek wives from the aboriginal inhabitants,
whom they called Dasyus. These were a primitive race,
in every way alien to the Arvan civilization, religion,
1 The previous discussions concerned are principally those in Chapters
II, XII, XIV and XV.
3 These were the Rathaestao, Atharva, and Vastrya.
5 Rajan was possibly the most common name for the ruling class;
there were many names for priest—rishi, kavi, hrahman, brahmaputra,
arc only some. It is worth noting that the first of all priests, who
brought fire from heaven and instituted sacrifice, was named Atharvan,
which corresponds closely to thc name of the Iranian priest.
CASTE IN THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
The past development of the caste system and various
aspects of its present condition have now
t Previous been described. It still remains to con-
discussions sider the possibilities of its future. But
the future can only be profitably con-
sidered in the light of the past; and it becomes necessary
to begin by gathering up previous discussions into a con-
nected account.1
When the Aryan invaders first entered India, they
were alreadv divided into three social
2. The Vedic classes, similar to those existing amongst
period their kinsmen in Iran.2 Of these classes,
two, the ruling or military class, and the
priestly class, were already recognized as superior to the
Vish, or Aryan commonalty. At first, the names of
these two classes had not been definitely fixed ;3 but
before long they* became known respectively as Kshat-
riya and Brahman. The priesthood at this time was de-
finitely a profession to which were admitted recruits from
other classes; and at this time, and for many years after,
the priesthood was subordinate to the ruling class. The
Aryan invaders brought few women with them into India,
and had to seek wives from the aboriginal inhabitants,
whom they called Dasyus. These were a primitive race,
in every way alien to the Arvan civilization, religion,
1 The previous discussions concerned are principally those in Chapters
II, XII, XIV and XV.
3 These were the Rathaestao, Atharva, and Vastrya.
5 Rajan was possibly the most common name for the ruling class;
there were many names for priest—rishi, kavi, hrahman, brahmaputra,
arc only some. It is worth noting that the first of all priests, who
brought fire from heaven and instituted sacrifice, was named Atharvan,
which corresponds closely to thc name of the Iranian priest.