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Where did the caste system in India come from historically?

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The Caste System. Harijan girls. Photo courtesy of Carolyn Brown Heinz. These girls, who belong to the Untouchable caste, make dung patties which are used for fuel and heat by ... According to an ancient text known as the Rigveda, the division of Indian society was based on Brahma's divine manifestation of four groups. read more

The caste system was not absolute during much of Indian history. For example, the renowned Gupta Dynasty, which ruled from 320 to 550 CE, were from the Vaishya caste rather than the Kshatriya. Many later rulers also were from different castes, such as the Madurai Nayaks (r. 1559-1739) who were Balijas (traders). read more

But later on, people started following the caste system mainly for the benefits that one can get by using the name of their caste. Traditionally the people from higher castes(kings,etc.) were given more benefits than the people in the lower castes. read more

The Origins of the Caste System According to one long-held theory about the origins of South Asia's caste system, Aryans from central Asia invaded South Asia and introduced the caste system as a means of controlling the local populations. read more

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