Indian Society in History – An Analytical Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31150/ajshr.v4i7.2351Keywords:
Indus, valley, civilization, caste, varnas, religion, spirituality, classesAbstract
India’s ancient history dates back to over 5,000 years, with the Indus Valley Civilization being one of the oldest and most advanced civilizations in the world. The ancient Indian society was characterized by the caste system, where individuals were assigned a specific caste based on their birth. The society was also patriarchal, with women occupying a subordinate position. The society was characterized by a strict hierarchical system that was based on the caste system, with individuals being born into a particular social group and being restricted to that group for their entire lives.
The caste system had four main classes, or varnas: Brahmins (priests and scholars), Kshatriyas (warriors and rulers), Vaishya (merchants and traders), and Shudras (laborers and artisans). Below these four classes were the “untouchables,” or Dalits, who were considered outside the caste system and were often subjected to discrimination and social ostracism.
The ancient Indian society was also characterized by the dominance of religion and spirituality. Hinduism was the dominant religion, with its complex pantheon of gods and goddesses and its emphasis on dharma (duty) and karma (the law of cause and effect). Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism also emerged as major religions during this time.
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