Ancient Indian Colonization in South-East Asia c10.70

c10.70

As in India, the Brāhmaṇas and the Kṣtriyas occupied the higher position, and frequent references made in the epigraphic records to the former leave no doubt that they were large in number and, both as priests and repositories of learning, were looked upon with great respect and reverence. An inscription of Champā (No. 12) refers to the Brāhmaṇas as gods among men (*naradeva*) to whom even the king paid obedience. But the Kṣatriyas and Brāhmaṇas inter-married. King Rudra-varman of Champā had a Brāhmaṇa father and a Kṣatriya mother, and he is called in an inscription 'the ornament of the Brahma-Kṣatriya family.' It may be noted that such inter-marriage as well as the Brahma-Kṣatriya caste was well-known in India.