[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) › c13.68 # Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.68 Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.68 - **Language:** English ### [c13.68](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.68) The \*Śānti Parvan\* and the \*Bṛhaspati Smṛti\* lay down higher rates of wages for agricultural labourers than the other texts of around this period. Thus, according to the former, if a cultivator is supplied with seeds and other accessories, he may take a seventh part of the yield.¹ \*Bṛhaspati\* is more liberal. According to him the workers engaged in cultivation (\*sira-vāhakas\*) should be given ¼ of the produce if they are provided with food and clothing.² If they work without being given food and clothing by their employer, they should be given ⅓ of the produce.³ Obviously these provisions apply to the agricultural labourers and not to the sharecroppers who supplied their own seeds, oxen and implements. There is no justification for the view that the \*sira\* land was identical with the \*sitā\* land of Kauṭilya.⁴ While the \*sitā\* was crown land, the \*sira\* was in the possession of individuals, who employed labourers for its cultivation.⁵ - [Previous: c13.67](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.67) - [Next: c13.69](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.69) - [Up: c13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.68](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.68) · Pramāṇa