Question

With reference to the Society during the Vedic Age, answer the following question:

Explain briefly the class divisions that existed in society.

Answer 1

In the Early Vedic Period, society was divided into different classes based on their profession. A person could adopt any profession of his choice.
People followed different professions which became hereditary in the course of time. This resulted in the division of society into occupational classes. However, later on the class system became a caste system.
In the Later Rig Vedic Period, the caste system emerged. The four main castes were — Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. The Brahmans of the priests performed religious rituals. The Kshatriyas participated in wars. The Vaishyas engaged in business and looked after agriculture as well as industry. The Shudras served the upper classes.