Caste and Race in India c8.192

c8.192

The traditional assignment of occupations to the four castes is very largely modified. We have already noticed that the Vaiśyas and the Śūdras are given common occupations, viz. trade, agriculture, and crafts. The Brahmin is allowed to live on agriculture provided he employs Śūdra labourers to do the actual work. Mādhava candidly observes that it is not possible in the Kali age for the Brahmin to maintain himself on sacrificial fees. The economic aspect seems to have affected the writer to such an extent that he allows all the four varṇas to trade and practise crafts.¹ The ancient profession of the Kshatriyas we find taken up by other castes as well. It is well known that the Peshwa rulers of Poona were Brahmins. The Chera, Chola, and Pandya kings belonged to the caste of the Vellalas,² a cultivating caste of Madras. The Nayak kings of Madura and Tanjore were Balijas, traders by caste.³ In some parts even the aboriginal races ruled over petty principalities. The Gonds provide perhaps the best example.⁴ The occupational diversity was far greater than the one contemplated in the old scheme and is frankly recognized both by Mādhava and Kamalākara in their treatment of mixed marriages.