The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c21.28

v1.c21.28

The distinction among the orders mentioned in the gifts above is only one of innumerable passages in which, as a matter of course and without thought of any other social order, the castes are named as priest, noble or warrior, and 'people,' the last term embracing all those 'reborn,' who are not priests or warriors or slaves. The slaves, Çūdras and lower orders, are recognised as part of the social structure. The name itself suggests that the Çūdras were originally a conquered people, as Karian became synonymous with slave at Athens. Yet the Çūdras were not Pariahs but members of the household, who took part in some of the domestic rites.