It is described in Purāṇa (Purana) that the inhabitants of ancient India was divided in four Varṇas (varna; caste) e.g. Brāhmaṇa (Brahmana), Kṣatriya (Kshatriya), Vaiśya (Vaisya), Śūdra (Sudra). Likewise, the inhabitants of Śālmalīdvīpa (Salmalidwipa; the island of Salmali), mentioned in Purāṇa were also divided in caturvarṇa (chaturvarna; four castes). Iṣandhara(Ishandhara) was one of these four castes, probably identical to the Śūdra (Sudra).