Varna, jati and kings

The Dharmashastras and Dharmasutras laid down ideal occupations for the four varnas:

• Brahmanas: to study and teach the Vedas, perform sacrifices, and give and receive gifts;
• Kshatriyas: to fight, protect people, administer justice, and study the Vedas;
• Vaishyas: agriculture, pastoralism and trade, besides study;
• Shudras: only to serve the three higher varnas.

The chapter notes that texts like the Bhagavad Gita and some Rigvedic hymns also suggest a more flexible view, based on people's qualities and actions.

In practice, kings came from many backgrounds. Buddhist texts suggest the Mauryas were Kshatriyas, while Brahmanical texts call them of 'low' origin; the Shungas and Kanvas were Brahmanas; the Shakas were treated as mlechchhas (outsiders); and the Satavahana ruler Gotami-puta Siri-Satakani claimed to be a unique Brahmana.

Alongside the four varnas, there were many jatis. Unlike the varnas, jatis were not limited in number: new groups and occupations became new jatis. Some jatis of the same occupation formed shrenis (guilds).

A fifth-century inscription from Mandasor (Madhya Pradesh) tells of a guild of silk weavers who migrated from Gujarat, took up many occupations, and together built a magnificent temple to the sun god. Rules said one thing; lives showed another.