In Nectar in a Sieve, Rukmani marries a tenant farmer of the Vaishyas class.
According to the sacred book of Vedas, there is a rigid system of social groups categorized into four classes:
a) Brahmin, which includes the priests
b) Kshatriyas, which includes the rulers and the warriors.
c) Vaishyas, which include the farmers, traders or merchants.
d) Sudras, which includes the labors and untouchables (Harijan/Dalits)