We've discussed the caste system in some detail. It's still a matter of debate to what degree caste is hereditary and it's actually part of the religion. But it was a fact of the culture of the time. Where at the top you had the Brahmins, who were the priests. And much of their power came from their ability to interpret the Vedas, came from their exclusive ability to practice the rituals just right. Buddha came from a ruling class. He came from the Kshatriya class.