Literally, it means 'color' in Sanskrit. By tradition, the four hierarchically-organized categories in the Caste System—Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra—are called the four Varnas.
Professor Dennis Dalton describes Gandhi and Ambedkar's different interpretations of the varna system and its significance in defining untouchability.
Annotation by: Pritchett