How is the social order established in classical India?

Answer 1

In classical India (whose boundaries stretched far beyond today's limits) social order, as described in Vedic literatures, was not a familial Caste System. Rather, one's position in society was based on one's qualities and propensities. The purpose of the system was, and remains, to keep society in a state of peace and prosperity. From such a position of security and happiness one could more easily advance in life. The names and descriptions of the classes and orders persist till today from the ancient Vedas. These groupings were more descriptive than prescriptive. However, once one identified within a group one was expected to live by its tenets and expectations. One could change position through qualification, though, since position was not birth-dependent. The social system was and is called varnasrama. It has two parts, varna (occupational divisions) and asrama (social divisions). The four varnas are brahmana, ksatria, vaishya, and sudra. Membership in these occupational categories depends on education and training, qualities, and propensity. This is similar to the requirement, for example, that an elementary school teacher must be degreed, trained in education and the area of instruction, a holder of a teaching certificate, of good character, and of a nature compatible with the role. Roughly, brahmanas are priests and teachers, ksatriyas are military and management, vaishyas are in business, and sudras are the workers/employees. The four asramas are brahmachari, grhastha, vanaprastha, and sannyasa. Brahmacaris are single students, grhasthas are those in family life, vanaprasthas are in retired, semirenounced life, and those who elect sannyasa remain henceforward renounced. Under varnasrama, just as in modern society, one's social position is by choice. And similarly, each person is expected to live by the standards of his or her position, for the peace of society. For example, the proscription against adultery is not just a rule of religions but a societal principle for the benefit of both individuals and communities.