Savarna ( सवर्ण ) communities are those that belong to any one of the four varnas (Hindu social castes).[1][2]
The Varna system in Hinduism divides the society into four classes or varnas with their respective occpations as follows :[3][4]
- Brahmins: vaidya/vedic scholars, priests and teachers.
- Kshatriyas: rulers, warriors and administrators.
- Vaishyas: agriculturalists and merchants.[5]
- Shudras: laborers and service providers.
So, any "caste" or community belonging to any of these four varnas (viz. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas & Shudras) is called a Savarna caste or community, while a caste or community that does not belong to any of these four varnas is called Avarna caste or community.
References
- ↑ DR Jatava (2011). The Hindu Sociology. Surabhi Publications. p. 92.
- ↑ Yājñika, Acyuta and Sheth, Suchitra (2005). The Shaping of Modern Gujarat: Plurality, Hindutva, and Beyond, p. 260. Penguin Books India
- ↑ Doniger, Wendy (1999). Merriam-Webster's encyclopedia of world religions. Springfield, MA, USA: Merriam-Webster. p. 186. ISBN 978-0-87779-044-0.
- ↑ Ingold, Tim (1994). Companion Encyclopedia of Anthropology. London New York: Routledge. p. 1026. ISBN 978-0-415-28604-6.
- ↑ Kumar, Arun (2002). Encyclopaedia of Teaching of Agriculture. Anmol Publications. p. 411. ISBN 978-81-261-1316-3.