B r a h m a n - 1500 - 2000 BC.
Hindus believe Brahmans emerged from the mouth of Lord
Brahma, who, in faith, is the supreme being overseeing the universe.
Hindus are born into four main caste, which followers believe were established at the time of creation.These caste follow in descending order by high-caste Brahman priest , warriors , merchants and peasents.The caste are considered to come from parts of Lord Braham's body : Warriors from his Arms, Merchants from his Thighs and the Peasents from his Feet
Below these caste are the untouchables caste. Each caste has thousands
of subcastes.
Historically a person could not convert out of the caste or marry outside
of the group into which he or she was born, people who defied these rules
were usually ostracized by their community.
Caste also determined a persons work.Brahmans were the priest and teachers,
kshatriyas served as solders, Vaisyas were shopkeepers
and Sudras were famers.Dalits did degrading and polluting
jobs such as street and toillet cleaning or diposed of the carcasses of
dead animals
Food taboos and even conversation were linked to and governed by caste.Brahmans
were not permitted to eat food that had been touched or prepared by aperson
of a lower status,a low- caste person could not speak to someone of a
high caste status.