Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.167

c13.167

During this period śūdra artisans maintained their importance. The earlier lawgivers permit arts and crafts to the śūdras only when they fail to earn their livelihood through the service of the three higher varnas, but this condition is now waived,³ and handicrafts are included in the normal occupations of the śūdras.⁴ These crafts are defined by Bṛhaspati as working in gold, base metals, wood, thread, stone and leather.⁵ The *Amarakośa* list of craftsmen, which occurs in the *śūdra-varga*, gives two names each for general artisans, heads of their guilds, garland makers, washermen, potters, bricklayers, weavers, tailors, painters, armourers, leather workers, blacksmiths, shell-cutters and workers in copper.⁶ The list gives four names for goldsmiths and five names for carpenters.⁷ Amara also includes players on drums, water, flute and *vīṇā*,¹ actors, dancers and tumblers in the *śūdra-varga*.² Thus the list would suggest that all varieties of arts and crafts were practised by śūdras.³