Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c10.278

c10.278

Thus, with the general substitution of society based on varṇa for tribal society during post-Vedic times, the members of the śūdra varṇa ceased to have any place in the work of administration. They were probably excluded from all administrative appointments and subjected to corporal punishments for minor offences. In a way this was natural, for they could not generally afford to pay fines. The penalties laid down by the rules of penances and criminal law in respect of the śūdras are indeed proportionately much higher than those prescribed for offences committed by the higher varṇas. But they at least imply that the śūdra was invested with rights of person and property.⁴ He could not be killed with such impunity as a slave in Greece.