Ancient Indian Colonies in the Far East (Vol. I: Champa; Vol. II: Suvarnadvipa) v2.c20.s3.3

v2.c20.s3.3

The fundamental basis of the Hindu society, and one which distinguishes it from all other known societies, is the system of caste. That this was introduced in Java, Madura, and Sumatra is clear from the occurrence of the word "Caturvarṇa" in early records, and frequent reference to the Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras in literature and inscriptions.¹ It will be, however, too much to assume that this caste-system was the same as is prevalent in Hindu society to-day, and we are not sure if the caste-system there meant anything more than a theoretical recognition of the division of the people into four grades. But, then, it is necessary to remember that the same was also the case in at least many parts of India in earlier times, and that the influence of Buddhism and Tantrik religion obliterated the distinctions of caste to a considerable degree in later periods. It is, therefore, difficult to draw a sharp line of distinction between the system of caste in Java and that in India.