Articles on India!

The Varna system, an ancient framework for social organization in India, has a complex and often misunderstood history. Rooted in occupation and intended to create a harmonious society, it gradually evolved into a rigid Caste System, with far-reaching consequences for social equality and mobility. "Varna," derived from the Sanskrit word "vr," meaning to cover, envelop, or choose, initially represented a classification based on inherent qualities and skills. Understanding its historical context, etymology, and evolution is crucial to grasping its impact on ancient and modern Indian society. The initial division of Ancient Indian society , attributed to the arrival of the Aryans, was into four distinct groups: Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Sudra. This system, intertwined with Hindu philosophy, was based on class, color (though debated), guna (inherent qualities), and yoga (aptitude). The first three Varnas – Brahmin, Kshatriya, and Vaishya – were considered ...

Ancient Indian history, a tapestry woven from diverse threads of societal evolution, religious innovation, and political upheavals, draws upon a multitude of sources for its reconstruction. While indigenous literary and archaeological evidence form the bedrock of our understanding, the accounts of classical Greek and Roman writers offer a unique external perspective, enriching our knowledge of the era. These accounts, though often colored by their own cultural biases and limited understanding, provide invaluable insights into ancient Indian society, polity, and economy, particularly during the Mauryan and post Mauryan Periods. The earliest Greek encounters with India were filtered through the Persian Empire. Herodotus, often hailed as the "father of history," mentions India as the 20th satrapy of Darius I's empire, highlighting the region's economic importance. His work, "Histories," provides a glimpse into the political geography of northwest India. Simil...