WORLD RELIGIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -At the top of the hierarchy were the Brahmins who were mainly teachers and intellectuals and are believed to have come from Brahma’s head. Then came the Kshatriyas, or the warriors and rulers, supposedly from his arms. The third slot went to the Vaishyas, or the traders, who were created from his thighs.

Detailed explanation-2: -The seven major Brahmin Gotras take the names of the saints whose lineages they represent: Vishvamitra, Jamadagni, Bhradwaja, Gautama, Atri, Vasishta and Kashyapa. Over time however, as the Brahmin caste expanded, several more Brahmin Gotras appeared.

Detailed explanation-3: -A hierarchical system wherein generally the Brahmins were at the head of the hierarchy, but this hierarchy was disputed in some cases. In various linguistic areas, hundreds of castes had a gradation generally acknowledged by everyone.

Detailed explanation-4: -Peninsulares were Spaniards who carried pure Spanish blood. They were also the most powerful group within the caste system.