The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c6.42

c6.42

But they have already begun to get anxious about the Unknown Beyond and, on the whole, the religious vein among them is stronger than among the ancient Greeks and Romans. Their spiritual life lent itself readily to priestcraft which gave rise to a sacerdotal order. Once again, under the operation of the hereditary tendency and the logical tendency, the order would crystallise into a caste. The formation of the Brâhmaṇa and Kṣatriya castes—the priests and warriors—would leave viś or people at large as one huge caste. With the Śūdras representing a good deal of the aboriginal or mixed element already marked out, the fourfold division would be complete. It may be added that slavery was known to vedic society both in the period represented by Books II—VII and the slightly later one represented by Book VIII.¹ Beyond the pale of caste, there might still remain large aboriginal tribes or groups.