History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v2.c15.4

v2.c15.4

*Varṇa*. High eulogy and condemnation of caste system. Characteristic features of modern caste system. History of the word *varṇa*. Ārya and dāsa or dasyu. Viś in the Ṛgveda. Position of Śūdra in Vedic Literature. Position of the three higher varṇas *inter se*. Professions and crafts in Vedic Saṁhitās. Rathakāra and Niṣāda. Propositions deducible from Vedic Literature. List of various crafts and avocations culled from Vedic Literature. Ramifications of caste traced by dharmaśāstra writers to mixed unions. Two postulates as to castes in dharmaśāstra writers. *Anuloma* and *pratiloma* castes. *Jāti*. Status of children of mixed castes. *Varṇasaṁkara*. *Jātyutkarṣa* and *Jātyapakarṣa*. Professional castes and guilds. List of castes mentioned by works from 500 B. C. to 1000 A. D. Revolt against the caste system in the Mahābhārata. A few of the castes mentioned by medieval works.