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Kshatriya

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Kshatriya

 or Ksatriya

In Hindu India, the second-highest of the four varnas, or social classes, traditionally the military or ruling class. In ancient times before the caste system was completely defined, they were considered first in rank, placed higher than the Brahmans, or priestly class. The legend that they were degraded by an incarnation of Vishnu as a punishment for their tyranny may reflect a historical struggle for supremacy between priests and rulers. In modern times the Kshatriya varna includes members from a variety of castes, united by their status in government or the military or their land ownership.



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Hailing from a Kshatriya caste in Samalkot, Sayamma was baptized in 1899.
The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party's move to prevent religious conversions among Hindus in India is meant to comfort the upper castes of the Brahmin and Kshatriya ("Indian churches fight new law on conversions," November).
 
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