A Brahmin (also Brahman; Brāhmaṇa) (Sanskrit: ब्राह्मण)[Note 1]
is a member of the priestly class in the Indian subcontinent.
Brahmins belong to the Upper Caste Society. According to ancient
Hindu texts including the Manusmṛti, there are four "varnas", or
spiritual classes, into which all persons can be divided, based
on inherent temperament, and level of spiritual development
achieved through manyincarnations – the Brahmins (teachers,
scholars and priests), the Kshatriyas (kings and warriors), the
Vaishyas andShudras (agriculturists, artisans and merchants),
(service providers and laborers). Later, through corruption and
misinterpretation of the sacred texts, this originally spiritual
classification became a hereditary social system in India.
Brahmins were charged with performing religious duties as
priests and preaching Dharma (as "one who prays; a devout or
religious man; a Brāhman who is well versed in Vedic texts; one
versed in sacred knowledge"). The Brahmins held authority over
interpretation of Vedic