Was the Caste System of Ancient India Based on Skin Color?

Exploring the roots of caste in Indian antiquity

A 19th-century manuscript of Rigveda. Image source: Wikimedia.

Have you wondered what the caste system or the “varna system” was like in ancient India? Did it resemble modern Indian society? Did caste even exist in ancient India?

Recently I had the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. David Miano, Professor of Ancient…