India's caste system is perhaps the world's longest surviving social hierarchy. Differences in status are traditionally justified by the religious doctrine of karma, a belief that one's place in life is determined by one's deeds in previous lifetimes. Traditional scholarship has described this more than 2,000-year-old system within the context of the four principal varnas, or large caste categories. In order of precedence these are the Brahmins (priests and teachers), the Ksyatriyas (rulers and soldiers), the Vaisyas (merchants and traders), and the Shudras (laborers and artisans). Almost identical structures are also visible in Nepal.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Keywords: Caste System, Traditional Scholarship, Social Hierarchy, Doctrine of Karma, Untouchability.