How was early Indian culture influenced by religion and social structure?

The influence of religion and social structure on early Indian culture cannot be overemphasized. In the times of the Maurya and Gupta empires, the Indian culture was profoundly influenced by Hinduism, a religion that reinforced a strict social hierarchy called "caste system". This made it virtually impossible for anyone to move outside of his or her social station. The emperors in fact, used Hinduism as a unifying religion and focused on Hinduism as a means for personal salvation.