[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) › c13.40 # Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.40 Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.40 - **Language:** English ### [c13.40](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.40) The familiar maxim that the duty of the śūdra is to serve the three other varṇas² recurs in the texts of the Gupta period. Just as in Manu, it is claimed that he should particularly serve the brāhmaṇas.³ In the \*Śānti Parvan\* a ruler boasts that in his kingdom the śūdras duly serve and wait upon the other three orders without any malice.⁴ - [Previous: c13.39](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.39) - [Next: c13.41](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.41) - [Up: c13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.40](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.40) · Pramāṇa