AP World History Practice Exam 2026 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Caste duties in Classical India were intricately linked to an individual's class, or varna, and age, which dictated the responsibilities and roles that were expected of people within society. This system was codified in texts like the Manusmriti, which outlined the duties (dharma) associated with each caste, stipulating the responsibilities for the brahmins (priests), kshatriyas (warriors), vaishyas (merchants), and shudras (laborers).

Age also played a significant role, as it often determined the life stage an individual was in, aligning with the four stages of life (ashramas): brahmacharya (student), grihastha (householder), vanaprastha (hermit), and sannyasa (renunciation). These stages further influenced the expectations and duties placed upon individuals.

While wealth and gender certainly impacted social dynamics, they did not singularly define caste duties, which were more rigidly grounded in the caste system and often self-perpetuating across generations based on class and age. Hence, understanding the influence of both class and age provides a comprehensive view of the roles individuals played in Classical Indian society.