[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) › c13.19 # Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.19 Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.19 - **Language:** English ### [c13.19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.19) A characteristic feature of the Smṛti writings of this period is their Vaiṣṇavite leanings. This is noticeable particularly in the \*Viṣṇu Smṛti\*, the \*Bṛhaspati Smṛti\*,⁸ the \*Viṣṇu Purāṇa\*,⁹ and the \*Matsya Purāṇa\*.¹⁰ Probably the worship of Kṛṣṇa and the influence of Vaiṣṇavism account for the more liberal views that are so largely represented in the great epic.¹¹ As will be shown later, the Vaiṣṇavite tendencies liberalised the brāhmaṇical attitude towards the śūdras, who were granted narrow but definite rights in the sphere of religion. - [Previous: c13.18](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.18) - [Next: c13.20](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.20) - [Up: c13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.19) · Pramāṇa