[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) › c13.94 # Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.94 Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c13.94 - **Language:** English ### [c13.94](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.94) Nārada and Bṛhaspati strongly deprecate the attitude of the wretch who, being independent, sells himself.⁶ The Anuśāsana Parvan states that a person should not sell others; how much more one’s own children.⁷ Although rules for manumission of slaves (especially āryan) are found in Kauṭilya, the ceremony for their emancipation is first laid down by Nārada.⁸ All this may have undermined the slave system. - [Previous: c13.93](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.93) - [Next: c13.95](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.95) - [Up: c13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.94](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c13.94) · Pramāṇa