The pattern of social classes in Hinduism is called the caste system and is thought to have been introduced by the Aryans upon their invasion of India. In early Hindu scriptures, society was divided into interdependent groups, each having a specific role and place in society. There are four major castes or varnas and thousands of subcastes, or jâtis. A traditional color is associated with each varna.

Brahmins
The educated class of priests, philosophers, scholars, and religious teachers. Their associated color is white.

Ksatriyas
The warrior caste including politicians, generals, officers, and civil authorities. Their color is red.

Vaishyas
The 'providers' such as merchants, farmers and artisans. Their color is brown.

Shudras
The laborers and servants, associated with black.

The members of the first three castes are called the twice-born, a term having nothing to do with reincarnation. Being twice born refers to a religious coming of age, similar to a Confirmation or a Bar Mitzvah. The person who has come of age may then learn Sanskrit and study the Vedas. About 48% of Hindus fall into one of the first three castes.

The Shudras are thought to perhaps be the remnants of the people that the Aryans found already living in India. Since they are but once-born, they are not allowed to learn Sanskrit or to study the Vedas. Their place is two work for the twice-born. Around 30% of Hindus are Shudras.

Each caste has its own set of rules and traditions affecting such things as occupation, diet and contact with members of other castes. While the caste system can promote rigidity and divisiveness, it can also offer a strong sense of belonging and identity as well as a network of social and professional support. Caste is inherited and it is very difficult to move from one caste to another.

There is a fifth group in Hindu society who have been traditionally known as the Untouchables or Outcastes. They refer to themselves as Dalit, the downtrodden. Caste Hindus can also be banished from their jâtis and become Outcastes.

These people are regarded as ritually polluting to caste Hindus, with some of the subcastes being considered so polluted that they must do their work at night so as to keep out of sight. Their work involves jobs thought to be polluting such as dealing with the bodies of dead animals or unclaimed dead humans and cleaning up animal and human waste in villages with no sewer systems. The Untouchables have always been the tanners and leather workers, since working with the skins of dead animals is also considered unclean.

Mahatma Ghandi equated suffering with holiness and called the Untouchables the Harijans, the Children of God. He considered their task of cleaning up waste to be a most terrible one and worked to improve their condition.

A law passed in 1950 outlawed the practice of 'untouchability' but this segment of society remains the most socially and economically deprived. About 20% of Hindus belong to this group. The Untouchables, along with the Shudras, are now officially known as the 'scheduled', or opressed castes.