Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c12.451

c12.451

The formation of new guilds of artisans and the rise of new crafts betoken changes of considerable importance,² not only in the economic life of the period, but in the position of the śūdras. With the disappearance of the all-powerful Mauryan state they helped to secure the comparative independence of artisans, therefore leading to some improvement in their status, which is evident from epigraphic records of numerous donations made by them to the Buddhists. The economic policy of some rulers also indirectly helped to improve the position of the śūdras. The Śaka ruler Rudradāman, a supporter of varṇa society,³ claims to have made the repair of the Sudarśana lake without imposing any forced labour upon his subjects.⁴ This must have meant a great boon to śūdra slaves and labourers who were usually subjected to corvée.