Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.518

c13.518

There is no doubt, however, that, compared to the members of the upper varṇas, the śūdras functioned at a low cultural level. Thus in the dramas women and low caste people always speak Prākrit, the tongue of the vulgar, in contrast to the refined tongue of the higher class characters who speak Sanskrit.² The Nāṭyaśāstra provides, however, that queens, courtesans and women artistes may use Sanskrit according to circumstances.³ Sometime distinction was made even in the use of the dialects of Prākrit; Śaurasenī was used for persons of good position in the drama while Māgadhi was reserved for those of low rank.⁴ The Nāṭyaśāstra assigns local dialects (vibhāṣās) to various tribes and occupations such as those of the caṇḍālas, pulkasas etc.⁵ All this would suggest that members of the lower orders did not receive literate education, which would enable them to speak the refined tongue Sanskrit.