[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958) › c12.77 # Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c12.77 Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c12.77 - **Language:** English ### [c12.77](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c12.77) An analysis of the lists of these artisans would show that there arose a number of new crafts during this period. As against about two dozen trades in the \*Digha Nikāya\*⁴ we meet about five dozen trades in the \*Milinda-pañha\*. Of these eight crafts are associated with metal working,⁵ which shows considerable advance in that field. Occupations connected with cloth making, silk weaving,⁶ making of arms and luxury articles,⁷ also seems to have made progress. All this shows that artisans of this period made a significant contribution to technological and economic developments, although much of this may have been to the benefit of upper classes. - [Previous: c12.76](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c12.76) - [Next: c12.78](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c12.78) - [Up: c12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c12) ## Cites (3) - [Mahāpadānasutta](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada.sp.digha.14.3.28.10) — Pāli - [Pannavaṇā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.jaina.sveta.upanga.4.1.61) — Śyāmārya, Ardhamāgadhī Prakrit - [Milindapañha](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada.sp.khuddaka.milindapanha) — Pāli --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c12.77](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c12.77) · Pramāṇa