[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) › c13.384 # Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.384 Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.384 - **Language:** English ### [c13.384](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.384) The \*Nāṭyaśāstra\* also prescribes a different kind of gait and movement for the portrayal of menial servants on the stage. According to this text one of their sides or the head or a hand or a foot should be lowered, and their eyes should move to different objects.³ Such behaviour suggests lack of confidence and shows that members of the lower orders were not encouraged to hold their heads high in the company of their masters. - [Previous: c13.383](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.383) - [Next: c13.385](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.385) - [Up: c13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13) ## Cites (1) - [Mahāvaṃsa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada_postcanon.vamsa.mahavamsa) — Pāli --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.384](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.384) · Pramāṇa