India’s Caste System: Dalits and the Four Varnas

This is a Dalit. They're at the absolute bottom of India's caste system.

They're literally called untouchables. Their status is rock bottom.

They generally have very dark skin and features that trace back to the original inhabitants. This is a Shudra, also at the bottom of the caste ladder with basically zero status. Mostly descendants of conquered native tribes, they tend to have darker skin. They get stuck with all the brutal,

degrading labor and face constant discrimination. This is a Vaishya.

They're the third tier in the hierarchy.

They rank well below the Brahmins and Kshatriyas and usually have a darker complexion. They're the farmers, merchants, and traders, the main engine of the economy. This is a Kshatriya. They're the second highest class, so they hold serious power. Mostly descendants of the Aryans,

so they have lighter skin. They run the military and government. Their whole job is protection and ruling.

This is a Brahmin. In the caste system, they are the ultimate top dogs.

Also mostly of Aryan descent with relatively lighter skin.

They're the priests, the keepers of sacred knowledge, controlling the entire spiritual and cultural realm.