Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c11.231

c11.231

It has been suggested that Kauṭilya’s provision fixing the age of sixteen for the bridegroom and twelve for the bride¹ was meant for the non-brāhmaṇa castes, especially the working class who desired early progeny.² Such an assumption is not at all warranted by the context in which the above provision occurs. On the other hand, in the absence of any references to the application of this measure to the lower varṇas, this provision may be taken to set the standard of conduct for the four varṇas in the order of their superiority.