Ancient Indian Colonization in South-East Asia c10.69

c10.69

Along with religion, Hindu social customs were also introduced in the colonies. The caste-system, which is the distinctive feature of the Hindu society, was introduced more or less in all the colonies, though we know more details of it in case of Java, Madura, Sumatra and Bali. The word *Caturvarṇa* occurs in the early records, and there is frequent reference to the Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas and Śūdras in literature and inscriptions. But the rigours of the caste-system in respect of inter-dining and inter-marriage were wanting. It should be remembered that this was also true of earlier period in India. As a matter of fact, the caste-system, as described in *Manu-saṁhitā*, prevails in its essential features even to-day among the people of Bali. It may be presumed that this was also the case in many of the colonies even in earlier times.