Hindu Administrative Institutions c12.s2.20

c12.s2.20

That the division of the people into occupational, functional, or professional castes is not peculiar to Drāviḍa seems capable of proof. It is seen from the *Rig Veda Saṃhita* that a number of such castes are mentioned. The four-fold division of the people in itself is one according to profession. The Brahmans are essentially teachers, and their advice was often sought on account of their learning. Kṣatriyas were to do all the fighting for the country and protect the land. The Vaiśyas were engaged in agriculture, trade and commerce, while the Sūdras rendered communal service by cattle rearing and similar professions of communal benefit. Each caste was in its turn sub-divided into a number of sub-castes, each following one distinct occupation. The Rig Veda speaks of the hunters as pāśins or nidhāpatis. For his occupation was by the pāśa or nidha which simply means a trap. The weaver is called vaya. The other terms that occur are the weaver of wool (puṣan), tanner (charmana), wicker-worker (akshuka), blacksmith (dhamatr), cow-herd (paśupa) or (gopa), ploughman (kinasa), etc. These and more occur in the Dharmaśāstras and the Arthaśāstra with their respective functions in the body-politic. In the Arthaśāstra of Kauṭalya mention is made of guilds of artisans, of weavers, of washermen, of coppersmiths, of blacksmiths, of medical practioners, of musicians and dancers, of sweepers, and scavengers. Gautama refers to guilds of various artisans, besides the groups of potters, boatmen, cowherds, traders, and money-lenders. Yājñavalkya mentions expressions śreṇi, naigama, and pāṣaṇḍi, as corporate bodies with their respective functions.¹