What was the varna of farmers, artisans and merchants in ancient India called?

The Brahmins used the Caste System to get free food, cattle and land with the aid of the warrior Ksatriyas. They suppressed the education of the lesser varnas. To me they are nothing more than free-loading beggars.

I am actually a Vaishya by this varna system but nowadays your occupation defines you not the caste I guess

The entire system of Hindu beliefs fascinates me. There must be something in it because the culture (through many societal changes) is one of the oldest developed societies on earth.