[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897) › c15.12 # The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c15.12 The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c15.12 - **Language:** English ### [c15.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c15.12) But this hereditary character of the position, combined with a special value attached to purity of blood do not in my opinion suffice to make the \*gahapatis\* appear as a caste; in our eyes they can only be regarded as a special class, as a special rank and not as a caste, the characteristic marks of which are lacking: apart from marriage within the limits of the class, we don't see any common customs, not to speak of any judicial powers, which would punish any transgression of caste-rules by exclusion from society. - [Previous: c15.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c15.11) - [Next: c15.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c15.13) - [Up: c15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c15) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c15.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c15.12) · Pramāṇa