Indian Social Structure

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A tribe is one of the earliest identifiable ethnic-cum-social organisations. Tribal life is based on kinship, equality among members, and a common ancestry.

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A tribe is endogamous, which means marriage takes place within the tribe. A clan is exogamous, which means marriage is not allowed within the clan. A tribe can contain more than one clan.

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Major Vedic tribes included the Bharatas, Yadus, Turvasas, Druhyus, Purus, and Anus. The head of a tribe was called Raja or King and was first among equals.

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Dasa varna referred to people outside the Vedic tribes. They were described as having an alien language, dark complexion, and different gods.

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The varna system divided society into four groups: Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra. It developed because of inter-tribal and intra-tribal wars, subjugation of defeated groups, unequal wealth,…

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Brahmanas performed priestly functions, Kshatriyas handled political functions, Vaishyas were mostly agriculturists, and Shudras formed the servile class. The three higher varnas were called dvijas or…

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They were called dvijas because they were entitled to the sacred thread ceremony, also called upanayana. This ceremony marked entry into formal social and religious life.

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Buddhists considered Kshatriyas to be the highest varna, not Brahmanas. Even so, Buddhism could not completely remove the caste system. Buddhist and Jain monastic communities did not have caste hierar…