Explanation:

•  During the Gupta period society was divided into four castes –brahmana, kshatriya, vaishya and sudra.
• Each one of these comprised a major caste or varna and had specific duties assigned to them.
• Fa-hien’s account about the plight of sudras proves the prevalence of caste system and caste prejudices in the Indian society during the Gupta period.
• The reference to the people of various castes in the epigraphs and literary works also point towards the existence of caste system during this period.
• The brahmanas were primarily concerned with the study and teachings of Vedas and other scriptures as also the performance of sacrifices and other religious practices.
• The kshatriyas came next to brahmanas in status and position in the society.
• Khatriyas, being the ruling class, enjoyed a very high status in the society.
• The khsatriyas as well as the vaishyas enjoyed with the brahmanas the status of Dvijati or twice born.
• The Vaisyas because of their immense wealth were also shown due regard.
• Sudras formed the lower rank of the cast system.
• They were forced to serve the other three classes.
• Besides the division of the society into four major castes, the contemporary inscriptions and literature bear ample testimony to the existence of sub castes.
• However, there were no rigid rules in respect of either inter-caste marriage or inter-dining of the professions.
• The standard of living in towns was high.
• The social position of shudras improved.
• They were permitted to listen to epics and the Puranas and allowed to worship Krishna.