Every separate occupation has produced a distinct caste, and the status of the caste depends now mainly or almost entirely on its occupation.

The fact that there may be several castes practising such important callings as agriculture or weaving does not invalidate this in any way, and instances of the manner in which such castes have been developed will be given subsequently.

If a caste changes its occupation it may, in the course of time, alter its status in a corresponding degree.

The important Kayasth and Gurao castes furnish instances of this.

Castes, in fact, tend to rise or fall in social position with the acquisition of land or other forms of wealth or dignity much in the same manner as individuals do nowadays in European countries.