Question

What changes took place under the varna-based society?

Answer 1

The following changes took place in the varna-based society:

• The four-fold Varna society was based on the idea of Purity of birth. Therefore, the ones belonging to the lowest Varna, i,e, the Shudras were discriminated on the account of their birth and occupation.
  
• Movement from one varna to another was very rigid as it was based on birth.
  

• Smaller castes or jatis emerged within varnas.
  
• On the other hand, many tribes and social groups were taken into caste-based society and given the status of jatis.
  
• Specialised artisans such as smiths, carpenters, and masons were also recognised as separate jatis by the Brahmanas.
  
• Jatis rather than varna became the basis for organising society.
  
• Among the Kshatriyas, new Rajput clans became powerful.
  
• Many tribes became part of the caste system. But only the leading tribal families could join the ruling class. A large majority joined the lower jatis of caste society.
  
• Many dominant tribes of Punjab, Sind and the North-West Frontier had adopted Islam. They continued to reject the caste-system