Varnas are traditionally defined, different anthropologists have used different definitions of upper, middle, and lower castes, The use of вЂњupperвЂќ, вЂњmiddleвЂќ, and вЂњlowerвЂќ to designate caste hierarchy is much more recent than the use of varna. The need for careful statistical analysis of genomic data for drawing appropriate inferences. Thus, this study not only provides a wonderful genomic view of the castes and of their origins, but also underscores However, after combining these haplotype data with DNA sequence data, Bamshad and colleagues were able to capture the expected Was also noted in a recent study conducted by us ( Roychoudhury et al. The only exception was in respect of mtDNA restriction site haplotypes, which Was observed in each of the three data subsets. Trend of genetic admixture estimated from castes belonging to different varnas is congruent with expectations. Using a very large battery of genomic markersДЄnd DNA sequences, spanning autosomal, mitochondrial, and Y-chromosomal genomic regions, they have shown that the observed (2001), who have also sought to test the above expectation, is clearly a landmark. The Aryans speakers who entered India originated). Was the lack of data on a large uniform set of markers from populations of India and central/west Asia (the region from which Highest varna to the lowest and a reverse trend should be observed with respect to those genes that вЂњcharacterizedвЂќ the indigenousДЄlthough some previous studies have sought to test this expectation, the observed trends were equivocal.

The genetic expectation, therefore, is that the proportions of those genes (or genomicДЇeatures, such as haplotypes or haplogroups) that вЂњcharacterizedвЂќ the Aryan speakers should progressively decline from the The Aryan contact should have been progressively Who were professionally the torchbearers and promoters of Aryan rituals. It is conceivable that the Aryan speakers had greater contact, including genetic admixture, with the Brahmins,

In southern India, the menial workers, the so-called вЂњuntouchablesвЂќ, were placed in a new varna, Panchama To this society, a fourth rank was added: Shudra, who had no The third rank was made up of Vis, that is, all the subjects. Had names for two ranks, Brahma (Brahmin) and Kshatra (Kshatriya), Brahmin being of a socially higher rank than Kshatriya. Placed their three classes on the indigenous Indian society. The Aryan world comprised three classes (varnas): priests, nobles, and commoners. Karve (1961) has also argued that вЂњsomething very like castes were in IndiaвЂќ even before Aryan speakers entered India. The Indus River valley to the Gangetic basin, knowledge and ownership of the means of food production may have created hierarchicalДivisions within tribal societies ( Kosambi 1964). The caste system in northern India may have developed as a class structure from within tribes: As agriculture spread from Totemic features that manifest themselves in these caste groups ( Kosambi 1964). Many castes are known to have tribal origins, as evidenced from various The origins of the castes in India remain an enigma. Is genomic substructuring even within a caste. There are also elaborate social regulations of avoidance of marriages within castes, and thus there These social regulations governing the institution of marriage have resulted in a substructuring Members within a caste generally marry among themselves intercaste Who share similar cultural and religious values and practices. The main feature of Indian society, seen at its strongest in the rural areas, is caste. Anthropology and Human Genetics Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta 700035, India.

Indian caste system