Pañcamas
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
By Swami Harshananda
Pañcamas literally means ‘those who belong to the fifth caste’.
The four varṇas[1] into which the society was divided is well-known. Certain castes which were considered as outside this category, were relegated to the ‘fifth’[2] place. Almost all those who have been listed among the Scheduled Castes and Tribes in the country come under this category.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore