How is the caste system related to Hinduism?

The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories - Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the Shudras. Many believe that the groups originated from Brahma, the Hindu God of creation ... Outside of this Hindu caste system were the achhoots - the Dalits or the untouchables.

Hinduism reinforced a strict social hierarchy called a caste system that made it nearly impossible for people to move outside of their social station. Emperors during the Gupta empire used Hinduism as a unifying religion and focused on Hinduism as a means for personal salvation

These and other Hindu texts classified the society in principle into four varnas:

Shudras: laborers and service providers.

Vaishyas: agriculturalists and merchants.

Kshatriyas: rulers, warriors and administrators.

Brahmins: priests, scholars and teachers.