VIIL] LIFE OF THE INDIANS. 151
not only that a well equipped force was kept up in all branches of
the military service, including chariots and elephants, but that a
fleet was employed on the rivers for purposes of
war1. The caste-system also, which at all times
has formed so prominent a feature of Indian life, is
described at some length; but the division of the castes, as
reported by Megasthenes, differs in many points from what we
know to have been the real classification. Instead of the four
castes which constituted the primitive system in India—viz. (i)
the priests, (2) the warriors, (3) the husbandmen and artisans, and
(4) the serfs—he mentions seven—viz. (i) philosophers, (2)
husbandmen, (3) shepherds and hunters, (4) artisans and trades-
men, (5) warriors, (6) inspectors, and (?) counsellors. The diver-
gence is in some cases accounted for by his treating classes, which
combined to form a single caste, as if they were separate castes.
Thus the Brahmans were partly priestly (philosophers), and partly
secular (counsellors) \ and the husbandmen and artisans were
associated in the same caste. The shepherds and hunters
belonged to one of the impure or mixed castes, which were
outside the regular caste-system. The inspectors did not form a
caste at all On the other hand, he does not include the serfs;
but this is hardly surprising, owing to the low position which they
held. In fact, these mistakes generally are such as an uninitiated
person might easily fall into. As regards the rules of the system,
by which the castes were strictly separated from one another, so
that their members might neither intermarry, nor pass from one
caste to another, nor adopt the occupation of another caste,
Megasthenes' story is accurate2.
The account of the life and character of the Indians which is
given by the same authority is singularly pleasing;
and though his description may be somewhat
idealised, a similarly favourable impression of their
society at that time is derived from the ancient literature. He
speaks of it as being characterised by simplicity and honesty, the
exercise of which virtues he illustrates by various practices which
1 Strabo, 15. i. 50—52,
* Strabo, 15. i. 39—41, 46—49; Diodor., 2. 40, 41; Arrian, u, ia.