Public Administration in Ancient India c5.9

c5.9

Several theories exist about the origin of the caste-system. But it seems reasonable to hold that the first beginnings of the system are to be found in the sharp colour line¹ which distinguished the fair-complexioned Āryas from the dark-skinned non-Āryan races of India. Very little is as yet known about the origin of the pre-Āryan inhabitants of the country. But they are said to have belonged mainly to two races, the Kolarian and the Dravidian, who had probably come into India from outside at some remote period of history.² Some of the tribes belonging to these races were fairly civilised, while others were at a very low stage of civilisation. The Āryan conquerors, conscious of their higher powers of intellect, and proud of their superior culture, despised the less civilised non-Āryans, and detested their superstitious customs and practices; and in order to preserve the purity of the Āryan blood, they prohibited all intercourse with the non-Āryan races.