During the ancient period, Hindu society was divided into four Varna’s namely: The Kshatriyas learned the art of warfare and administration. Vaishyas studied trade and commerce and Shudras learned agriculture and animal husbandry.

The Brahmanas stayed in the school until they attained mastery of the four Vedas. The first three varnas began to call themselves the upper varnas. They became the ‘twice-born (dvija) because they were entitled to the initiation ceremony (upanayana)

In the beginning, there was flexibility and fluidity with respect to occupation. It was only towards the end of the Vedic period that Varna turned into a rigid jati (caste) hierarchy based on the ideology of purity and pollution. Notions of purity and pollution continue to be followed in everyday practices such as food and water intake, dressing, occupation, worship, social interactions, travel, etc. Thus, the flexible varna system was converted into a rigid caste system.

Example: 

• Brahmin – priests, teachers, intellectuals 
• Kshatriya – rulers, and warriors 
• Vaishya – merchants’ traders, farmers 
• Shudra – menial work