Who were the untouchables in the varna system?

The Untouchables, also known as Dalits, were a marginalized group in the traditional Hindu varna system, which classifies society into four main categories: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (traders), and Shudras (laborers). The Untouchables were considered outside this hierarchy and faced severe discrimination and social exclusion, being assigned the most menial and "impure" tasks. Their status often rendered them untouchable, meaning that higher-caste individuals would avoid physical contact with them to maintain ritual purity. This social stratification has led to ongoing struggles for rights and equality in contemporary India.