There are two theories scholars are still
debating on about Aryan society. The first one, was that the people were
believed to come from Caucasus region, and then migrate to Europe and eastward
into India. The second theory or the Cultural Diffusion Hypothesis argues that
Aryans originally came from Indus Valley.
The caste system consists of both Aryans and
non-Aryans, hierarchically divided into four castes or what they call varnas. Below
is the Aryan society structure from highest to lowest in rank:
- Brahmins (Aryans,
priests/scholars/philosophers)
- Kshatriyas (Aryans, rulers/warriors)
- Vaishyas (Aryans, farmers/craftsmen/traders)
- Shudras (non-Aryans,
peasants/laborers/servants)
- Untouchables (lower than peasants/impure)
New religion emerged in sixth century B.C.
This challenged the Aryan caste system, until Christianity was introduced by
Wester colonizers.
