Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c14.11

c14.11

In the Mauryan period, the tendency to employ śūdra labour in agriculture reached its climax, and never before or after did the state exercise so much control over the slaves, hired labourers and artisans. This was the period when slaves were used in production on a large scale by the state. They were possibly recruited from the lowest order in society, although the Kalinga and similar wars may have been an important source. But the direct control of the servile order by the state was an interlude in India's social history. It was not followed later. The view, that, in the Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya the śūdras were regarded as āryas² and as such could not be reduced to slavery is not sustained by a close examination of the passages in question.³ And Aśoka's attempt to abolish varṇa distinctions in the administration of justice probably irritated the brāhmaṇas, but did not benefit the lower orders.