[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) › c13.628 # Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.628 Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.628 - **Language:** English ### [c13.628](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.628) There is no evidence to show that any vigorous propaganda was made by the brāhmaṇas to popularise the piety of making gifts earlier than the time of the Yājñavalkya Smṛti.⁷ With the law-book of Bṛhaspati the doctrine of salvation through gifts reached its high watermark.¹ The fact that this doctrine was repeatedly emphasised in connection with the śūdras may suggest that they were in a position to make gifts which was in accord with the change in their economic position. - [Previous: c13.627](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.627) - [Next: c13.629](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.629) - [Up: c13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.628](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.628) · Pramāṇa