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Varṇa , in the context of Hinduism, refers to a social class within a hierarchical caste system. The ideology is epitomized in texts like Manusmriti, which classify the society into four varna classes:
Communities which belong to one of the four varnas or classes are called savarna Hindus. The Dalits and tribals who do not belong to any varna were called avarna.
This quadruple division is a form of social stratification much broader than the more nuanced system of Jātis which correspond to the European term "caste".
The Varna system is discussed in Hindu texts, and understood as idealised human callings. The concept is generally traced to the Purusha Sukta verse of the Rig Veda.
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