Caste System in Rig Veda

 Caste system in Rig Veda forms the main distinguishing feature of the Hindu society. The Aryans of Central Asia and the Indo-Aryans also in the first two centuries did not follow any caste. It is only during the Rig-Vedic age that the four castes are stated. However the rigidity in the caste system as prevalent in our society or as it appears from the Code of Manu did not exist in the Vedic age.

In Central Asia the term 'Brahmana' earlier meant 'one expert in the religious rites'. It is assumed that sage Narayana discovered the Brahman (the Supreme Being) all the rishis and devas converted into 'Brahmanas.' It is noted that from the counsels of Narada to Mandhata in the Mahabharata all were Brahmanas. The earliest distinction made by the Indo-Aryans was between themselves and the natives and it was on the basis of varna i.e. colour. The Indo-Aryans identified themselves as Svitnya meaning white and the natives Krishna-twach meaning dark.

During the time of the Rigveda (1500 - 1200 BCE), there were two varnas: arya varna and dasa varna. The distinction originally arose from tribal divisions. The Vedic tribes regarded themselves as arya (the noble ones) and the rival tribes were called dasa, dasyu and pani. The dasas were frequent allies of the Aryan tribes, and they were probably assimilated into the Aryan society, giving rise to a class distinction. Many dasas were, however, in a servile position, giving rise to the eventual meaning of dasa as servant or slave.

The Rigvedic society was not distinguished by occupations. Many husbandmen and artisans practised a number of crafts. The chariot-maker (rathakara) and metal worker (karmara) enjoyed positions of importance and no stigma was attached to them. Similar observations hold for carpenters, tanners, weavers and others.