Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c11.138

c11.138

The śūdras, however, were given a place in the espionage system, which constituted a vital part of the Mauryan administrative machinery. Kauṭilya provides that, amongst others, women of the śūdra caste can be employed as wandering spies.⁴ It is further said that those who are employed as procurers of water for bathing, shampooers, bed makers, barbers, toilet makers, water servants, actors, dancers and singers, should keep an eye on the private character of the officers of the king.⁵ Evidently most of these seem to have been śūdras. Working as domestic servants, and thus coming into contact with their masters every minute, they were thought to be the best persons to report correctly on their private character. Further, according to Kauṭilya, almost all sections of people, including cultivators, herdsmen and jungle tribes, should be recruited as spies to watch the movement of enemies,—a provision which covers śūdras as well.⁶ Members of the lower orders also acted as messengers, for Kauṭilya states that messengers, though untouchables, do not deserve death.⁷