[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) › c7.13 # The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c7.13 The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c7.13 - **Language:** English ### [c7.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c7.13) So much for the theory of the Brāhmaṇas (according to Manu, X. 5 sq). It is \*prima facie\* evident that we cannot possibly have in it a true picture of the real state of things; and it is not difficult to see how there has developed such a system. The names of the particular mixed castes show very plainly the material out of which the system is built; throughout it is either geographical or ethnical relations, names of lands or peoples, which give them their distinctive names, as, for example, Māgadha, Niṣāda, Vaideha, Ambaṣṭha, Malla, Licchavi and Caṇḍāla. Along with these and to a much smaller extent, professional categories determine the names, as, Sūta, cart-driver, Veṇa, maker of reeds, Naṭa, dancer, Kaivarta, fisherman. The self-contained existence of these and similar groups separated from the Aryan Society, through contempt shown towards their race or their callings, was too evident to make it possible to ignore them quietly or to bring them under one or other of the four castes. The theory was widened and the mixed castes were annexed to the four original and recognised castes by giving their families or professional groups a wholly arbitrary genesis. - [Previous: c7.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c7.12) - [Next: c7.14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c7.14) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c7.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c7.13) · Pramāṇa