Their job in society was based in agriculture and trade. According to Chao, “Vaishyas were expected to tend cattle, to farm, or to trade. Like Kshatriyas, they could only learn, but not teach, the Vedas” (Chao). Their jobs and hierarchy could relate to American history; the farmers are considered lower even though their supply is a necessity for a civilization to thrive. Vaishyas were seen as the lower castes even though their jobs were very significant to having a prosperous life. Without food and trading, civilization in India wouldn’t be able to survive. The ideology that they weren’t significant even though their jobs were one of the most important led to some going against the caste-system views and supporting reformist religious beliefs like Buddhism and Jainism (Lee).
Shudras
The lowest caste was called Shudras. Their jobs were generally undesirable and labor intensive. Shudras represented the most of the populace of India (Lee). Their duty is to serve the upper castes generally as a slave or a blacksmith. According to Jayaram V, The Shudras were not able to participate in religious ceremonies or rituals as well as be able to study the Vedas or hear sacred chants (Hinduism and the Caste System). They were discriminated against greatly and were treated the worst out of the four castes.