[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928) › c6.44 # The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c6.44 The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c6.44 - **Language:** English ### [c6.44](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c6.44) Divisions and Restrictions. As society grew more complex and economic development led to further sub-division of labour, the four castes, particularly the last two, would split into numerous sub-castes. The effect of permanent settlement in different regions which could not easily communicate with one another would be further to sub-divide castes on the basis of locality. But this process does not seem to have gone to any considerable length in the age of the Rigveda. Nor is inter-marriage among the three higher castes barred or hedged round with such restrictions as appear in the Dharma Sūtras, not to speak of the Dharma Śāstras, of later ages.² - [Previous: c6.43](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c6.43) - [Next: c6.45](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c6.45) - [Up: c6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c6) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c6.44](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c6.44) · Pramāṇa