The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c10.s3.1

v1.c10.s3.1

CONTEMPORARY Smṛitis and Arab writers give us a glimpse into the caste system of the period. Besides the usual four castes, there existed a number of other social groups. Royalty formed a subcaste among the Kshatriyas called the Satkshatriyas (the Sabkufrias of the Arab writers),¹ who were held in even higher regard than the Brāhmaṇas. Ordinary Kshatriyas were on a slightly lower level; they still used to perform many of the rituals laid down for the twice-borns, but Vedic studies were less and less practised among them. The Vaishyas had degenerated to the status of Śūdras and such studies were no longer undertaken by any of them. In the Vākāṭaka-Gupta period intercaste anuloma marriages occasionally took place; they, however, almost disappeared during this period. Intercaste dinners were disapproved by the contemporary Smṛitis and were given up by the Hindu society of this time. A section of the Brāhman community followed its traditional duties and devoted itself to the performance of religious rituals, the exposition of philosophic doctrines, and the teaching of the sacred texts. The recipients of many of the grants recorded on the copper-plates used to perform these duties and were rewarded by the state for doing so. Other Brāhmans used to devote themselves to the study of law, poetry, astronomy, &c., and were employed in state services on the civil side. Some of them conducted schools and colleges and received liberal help from the government and private benevolence. Contemporary Smṛitis permit Brāhmaṇas to follow trade and agriculture, and we may assume that some of them at least availed themselves of this concession. Poor and learned Brāhmans were exempted from taxation, but those who enjoyed grants of land had to pay state dues, though usually at a lower rate than the ordinary cultivators.