Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c11.45

c11.45

In the new settlements, besides agriculture, the services of the śūdra population could be utilised for other purposes. It is stated that a new settlement, which is mainly inhabited by the śūdras (avaravarṇaprāya), is capable of yielding sure results and bearing all burdens imposed on them by the state.⁵ According to the commentary Nayacandrikā the meaning of the term bhoga indicates that the śūdras were to be engaged not only in cultivation but also in carrying loads and building forts.⁶ It is also said that a settlement inhabited by śūdras enjoys the advantage of numerical strength.⁷ For the purpose of opening up new lands to cultivation or rehabilitating old sites the śūdras were to be drafted from the areas which were overpopulated or induced to migrate from foreign kingdoms.⁸ It is stated that the *janapada* should have a numerous population of the lowest varṇas.¹ All this would suggest that the country had a considerable śūdra population, perhaps the majority belonging to this varṇa. And in other parts of the country, mainly inhabited by established vaiśya peasants, the śūdras may not have been principally liable for payment of the land revenue and other charges, as is suggested by Ghoshal.²