Difference Between Varna and Jati: 

(i) The first mention of Varna is found in Rig-Veda, i.e. in the Vedic era around 1500 BC. Varna means colour. Initially there were no untouchables. The Varna system was relatively not rigid during the Vedic era (1500 BC-1000 BC). During the later Vedic era, i.e. around 1000 BC there has been a mention of "Asat Shudra" (untouchable community). Thus untouchability started around 1000 BC. Around 2nd century BC to 1st century AD, because of diversified occupations, several occupational groups emerged and came to be known by different Jatis. Thus Varna Vyavastha is the textual model or book view of the Indian social system, i.e. it is found today only in texts. Whereas, Jati is the contextual view or field view of the Indian social system, i.e. we find Jatis in reality today and not Varnas.

(ii) There are only four Varnas whereas there are about 4000 Jatis. In each region about 200 Jatis are found. The Varna had a pan-Indic hierarchy, i.e. Brahmins are on the top, Kshtriyas are at the second position, Vaishyas are at the third position and Shudras are at the bottom of the hierarchy. This hierarchy was uniform throughout India but in Jati a uniform hierarchy throughout India is not found.

(iii) In the changing situation, in some areas Brahmins are on the top, in some other areas Thakurs (Rajput) are at the top. Today even the Dalits are found on the top in some areas. Thus secular criteria (economic and political) are found in the Jati system. On the other hand in Varna Vyavastha ritual criteria (religious) is found. In Varna Vyavastha initially untouchables are not found.

(iv) They are placed outside the Varna Vyavastha, whereas, in the Jati Vyavastha untouchables are an integral part of the system. In Varna Vyavastha a person's status was not changeable, whereas, in the Jati Vyavastha one can change one's status with improved socio- economic condition. Thus one should not take Varna and Jati synonymously.