How did the Aryan caste system form?

The Aryan Caste System emerged in ancient India with the arrival of the Indo-Aryans around 1500 BCE. This social hierarchy was initially based on occupational roles and the division of labor, categorizing people into four main varnas: Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (merchants), and Shudras (laborers). Over time, these categories became rigid and hereditary, leading to the complex system of jati, or sub-castes, that structured Indian society. The caste system was further reinforced by religious texts and social customs, deeply embedding it into the cultural fabric of the region.