Shopkeepers, merchants, bankers and lawyers—skilled labour—emerged and formed what came to be known was thefourth order. Each craft or industry was organised into a guild. A guild was an association which controlled the quality, price and sale of every product. 'Guild-hall' was a feature of every town.

The Fourth Order
The concept of the fourth order is mentioned in the chapter "The Three Orders" from the NCERT textbook. The fourth order refers to the emergence of a new social group that challenges the existing social hierarchy consisting of the three traditional orders - the clergy, the nobility, and the common people.

Emergence of the Fourth Order
The emergence of the fourth order can be attributed to various factors, including social, economic, and political changes. These changes disrupted the traditional order of society and gave rise to a new class of people who did not fit into the existing categories.

Social Changes
- The Enlightenment: The ideas of the Enlightenment challenged the authority of the Church and the nobility, leading to a questioning of traditional social structures.
- Education and Literacy: The spread of education and literacy allowed individuals from different backgrounds to gain knowledge and question the existing social hierarchy.
- Social Mobility: Social mobility increased as individuals from lower social classes could rise through the ranks through education, wealth, and talent.

Economic Changes
- Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution brought about significant economic changes, with the rise of factories, mass production, and urbanization. This led to the creation of a new working class that was distinct from the traditional orders.
- Capitalism: The emergence of capitalism also contributed to the formation of the fourth order, as individuals could accumulate wealth and gain social status based on their economic success.

Political Changes
- French Revolution: The French Revolution, with its ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity, challenged the traditional social order and led to the rise of a new political class.
- American Revolution: The American Revolution also inspired people to question the existing social hierarchy and fight for their rights and freedoms.

Impact of the Fourth Order
The fourth order had a profound impact on society, as it challenged the traditional power structures and demanded greater equality and social justice. The emergence of this new social group led to significant social and political transformations, such as the abolition of feudalism, the rise of democracy, and the fight for workers' rights.

The fourth order played a crucial role in shaping modern society by advocating for the rights and interests of the common people. It paved the way for the development of a more inclusive and egalitarian society, where individuals have the freedom to pursue their aspirations and contribute to the overall progress of the nation.