Varna (Hinduism)

Varna is a social concept from the Brahmin leaders of Hinduism in India that came during the Vedic period. It was the basis of origin of Indian castes and the Indian caste system.

People became divided into four classes depending on their type of work. Brahmins were priests and teachers. Kshatriyas were the warriors. Vaishyas did agriculture, trading and commerce. Shudras were the general working class. A common misconception is that the Vaishyas and Shudras were always looked down upon and treated badly by the Brahmins and Kshatriyas. That was true during the later part of the Vedic period but not during the earlier part.