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Vol. XXII, No. 4
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Greeks, Iranians, Shakas and Hủņas came to Panjab and Rajasthan long before. It cannot be argued they did not influence the regions, Social distinctions
Social distinctions in India were not a product of the evil genius of the non-Aryans. Evolution of society to a certain extent produces some Sort of distinctions in every country. That applies to all cases in history.
The Iranian society in 700 BC. was divided in three main classes, namely, priests, warrior sand husbandsmen. There was also a fourth class, of artisans. Origin of the system is attributed to Zarathustra or to Yima. References to this division of society became more frequent in the Sassanian period (226-651 A.C.) and positions well-defined. The four classes are likened to the heads, hands stomach and feet of a man. Priesthood was, it seems, hereditary from the beginning. By the Sassapian period, other occupations too had become hereditary. Intermarriage between people belonging to different social classes was estricted later. The priestly class could marry girls of the laity even then, but did not give theirs in marriage with the laity youth.29
Egypt had three principal classes in the Pyramid age, namely, landowners, serfs and slaves. During the rule of the Eighteenth Dynasty, there were four classes in the society, namely, soldiers, priests, craftsman and serfs. The first two clases were united by common interest. Clergy, however, were superior in actual influence and possession of wealth. Artisans were not allowed to change their class or occupation while priests, warriors and scribes could interchange occupation and so could their sons. A general in army could marry the daughter of a priest, and his children could be scribes, priests or public functionaries. By the early Ptolemies priesthood had become hereditary and exempted from poll-tax, Craftsmen and agriculturalists were in high esteem in the Egyptian Society 30
There were three classes in Sumeria, Aristocracy included priests and officials, The landowner constituted the middle class and the slaves were the third and the lowest class. Laws were based on inequality and attached more value to the life of aristocracy. Despite that a slave could marry a free woman and the offspring of such a marriage, to which no disgrace seems to have been attached was regarded as free. 31
Ancient China had four classes in its society. State officials called gentlemen, constituted the first class. Agriculture was deemed a noble calling and agriculturists were the second class. Artisans and merchants were the other classes of society. Besides there were
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