By then, the British had codified castes on the basis of occupation, and had placed the oppressed castes under a list called вЂњscheduled castesвЂќ, a term still used today. In early twentieth century, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar catalyzed political mobilization of the oppressed. He fought for equal rights and education for lower classes. In the nineteenth century, Jyotirao Phule questioned the discriminatory social system which had rendered lakhs of people poor, ignorant and illiterate. The barriers of caste continued to strengthen over centuries, until voices of reforms emerged from the colonial India. Some societies in Islam are also believed to follow a social classification scheme, where Ashrafs are given a superior status owing to their aristocratic ancestary, while Ajlafs and Arzals are confined to menial jobs and are considered вЂњlow-bornвЂќ ( source). But as per, it has been prevalent by different names in Japan (the Buraku), Korea (the Paekchong), Tibet (the Ragyappa), and Burma (Pagoda slaves). The practice of untouchability is often associated with Hinduism and believed to be found only in India. Even Mahabharata, the text of which was completed by 4th century AD, had mentions of the four-tier Varna system. Similar laws were articulated in Manu Smriti, which is believed to be written between 200 BC-200 AD and which served as the guiding text for formulating Hindu laws by the British government. These distinctions were mentioned in the Purusha Sukta verse of the Veda, although some scholars believe that this clause was added much later than the Vedic period. the Shudras: labourers and service providers.the Vaishyas: cattle herders, agriculturists, artisans and merchants and.the Kshatriyas: rulers, warriors and administrators.the Brahmins: priests, scholars and teachers.It classified the society into four varnas: The most ancient mention of the caste system is found in the Rig Veda, believed to be developed between 1500-800 BC, where it was called the Varna system. The caste system as we see it today has not been pronounced in just one book infact it has been shaped by multiple texts.

History of rig veda in hindi