Classification of People in Hindu Religion

The classification of people, in the name of gotras, in Hindu religion was practised from c. 1000 BCE onwards. Let's understand this in detail.

Brahmanas and Gotras

The Brahmanas were the priestly class in ancient India who were responsible for performing religious rituals and ceremonies. They were considered the highest in the social hierarchy, and their gotra system was the most elaborate. Each Brahmana had a gotra, which was named after an ancient sage.

Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras

Kshatriyas were the warrior class, Vaishyas were the merchant class, and Shudras were the labour class. They also had their own gotra system, but it was not as elaborate as that of the Brahmanas. The Kshatriyas had fewer gotras than the Brahmanas, while the Vaishyas and Shudras had even fewer.

The Importance of Gotras

Gotras were important because they were believed to be the source of a person's lineage and ancestry. It was believed that if two people had the same gotra, they were related by blood and could not marry each other. In ancient India, marriage within the same gotra was considered incestuous and was strictly prohibited.

Evolution of Gotras

Over time, the gotra system evolved and became more elaborate. New gotras were added, and some gotras were divided into sub-gotras. The gotra system also spread to other castes, such as the Jats and Rajputs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the classification of people in the name of gotras in Hindu religion was practised from c. 1000 BCE onwards, by the Brahmanas. The gotra system was important because it was believed to be the source of a person's lineage and ancestry, and it helped to prevent incestuous marriages. Over time, the gotra system evolved and became more elaborate, and it spread to other castes as well.