Entry of the Aryans into India.

The Aryas and Dasyus.
M.Emile Senart, in his work _Les Castes dans l'Inde_, gives an admirable sketch of the features marking the entry of the Aryans into India and their acquisition of the country, from which the following account is largely taken.

The institution of caste as it is understood at present did not exist among the Aryans of the Vedic period, on their first entry into India.

The word _varna_, literally 'colour,' which is afterwards used in speaking of the four castes, distinguishes in the Vedas two classes only: there are the Arya Varna and the Dasa Varna--the Aryan race and the race of enemies.

In other passages the Dasyus are spoken of as black, and Indra is praised for protecting the Aryan colour.