Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c12.s2.1

c12.s2.1

Jainism and Buddhism opposed the caste system asserting the social superiority of the Kṣatriyas over the Brāhmaṇas. Yet it is a mistake to suppose that caste-distinctions were abolished during the period of Mahāvīra and Buddha The four classes such as Bambhana, Khattiya, Vaissa and Sudda are mentioned in the Jain Suttas ⁶ According to the Jain tradition during the time of Usabha those who were state-officers were styled as Khattiyas and those who were landlords and bankers as Gāhāvais Then came into being the Vāniyagas and the Vaissas. Later on during the reign of Bharata came into existence the Bambhanas or Māhanas⁷ and then the Suddas Besides these primary vannas there were mixed castes formed from the union of different castes.⁸