Avarna

Avarna (meaning "without Varna") is a historical and sociological designation for social groups in the Indian subcontinent who were fundamentally excluded from the four-fold ritual hierarchy of the traditional Hindu Varna system.

The Varna system categorises society into four primary classes: Brahmins (priests and scholars), Kshatriyas (rulers and warriors), Vaishyas (merchants and agriculturalists), and Shudras (labourers and servants). Communities belonging to any of these four classes are collectively known as Savarna. Those outside this framework, the Avarna, were historically subjected to the institution of untouchability, enduring centuries of systemic marginalisation, socio-economic exploitation, and ritual ostracisation. Due to their exclusion from the four Varnas, these communities were often designated as the Panchama (fifth Varna).