[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) › c13.236 # Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.236 Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.236 - **Language:** English ### [c13.236](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.236) As regards the appointment of ministers, Yājñavalkya and Kāmandaka repeat the old view that they should possess noble birth (kulīnaḥ) and knowledge of the Vedas,⁵ which rules out the possibility of śūdras being selected as ministers. But the Śānti Parvan breaks new ground when it provides for a body of eight mantrins of whom four should be brāhmaṇas, three loyal, disciplined and obedient śūdras, and one a sūta.⁶ We do not know whether such a precept was followed, but it shows a significant change in the brāhmaṇical attitude towards the śūdras. - [Previous: c13.235](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.235) - [Next: c13.237](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.237) - [Up: c13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.236](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.236) · Pramāṇa