Write a brief note on the Hindu caste system.

The Hindu caste system reflects Indian occupational and socially defined hierarchies. Ancient Sanskrit sources divide society into four major categories, priests or Brahmin, warriors or Kshatriya, traders or Vaishya and labourers or the Shudra. In addition to these castes we also have the "untouchables." The Indian society is divided into thousands of jatis, which are local groups based on occupation.Despite economic modernisation and laws countering discrimination against the lower end of the caste structure and outlawing "untouchables, " the caste system remains an important source of social identification and a potent factor in the political life of the country.