Hindu Administrative Institutions c6.s4.3

c6.s4.3

It would be interesting to make an investigation into the origin of the four classes into which society was divided. Without taking up a detailed discussion, it would not be out of place to mention a few outstanding facts. According to the passage which occurs in the *Puruṣa Sūkta*, the four castes, Braha-maṇa, Kṣatriya, Vaiśya and Sūdra constituted the face, arms, thighs and feet respectively of *Puruṣa*. We have the authority of Dr. Martin Haug to regard it as an old hymn and not a late interpolation. Besides Professors Macdonnel and Keith remark: 'It seems certain that in the *Ṛig Veda* this Brahman is already a separate caste differing from the warrior and the agricultural classes.'² Thus there is evidence to show the existence of different classes in very ancient times. This is corroborated by the evidence of the Persian sources like the *Zend Avesta*.