or Ksatriya
In Hindu India, the second-highest of the four
In ancient times before the caste system was completely defined, they were considered first in rank, placed higher than the Brahmans , or priestly class. The legend that they were degraded by an incarnation of {{link=Vishnu">Vishnu as a punishment for their tyranny may reflect a historical struggle for supremacy between priests and rulers. In modern times the Kshatriya varna includes members from a variety of castes, united by their status in government or the military or their land ownership.