castes or untouchables are labourers. The term agricultural structure is often used to refer to the structure or distribution of land holdings.

Agricultural societies differ from normal or primitive societies in that they move from surplus to surplus by the use of more efficient technology in agriculture. These are class relations that Betil defines as being related to the ownership, use and control of land. In addition to this class relation, Bethel says that in India also there are caste relations in agriculture based on lifestyle. Caste relations are more clear, clearly defined and sharper than class relations which are often overlapping and less visible than caste. Both are equally important in agriculture but due to this caste has been studied more than class.

Thus, castes are named and determined on the basis of birth for each individual, but classes such as landlords, tenants and laborers are not fixed so that a person may belong to several such categories. Bethel says that the agrarian society in India can be understood in terms of both class and caste and that there is a dual relationship between caste and class. First, class relations are legalized and accepted by the caste system. The lifestyle of the upper castes requires them to work with their hands (not to work) and this is a powerful acknowledgment of their upper-class ranking. Secondly, there is a direct relationship between caste and class as Brahmins and Rajputs were traditionally land owners, middle castes were traditionally tenants and lower