[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) › c15.1 # Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c15.1 Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c15.1 - **Language:** English ### [c15.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c15.1) The time bracket 200 B.C.—A.D. 200 suggested by Bühler for the \*Manu Smṛti\* covers a period of four hundred years.¹ Jayaswal substantially delimits this period and ascribes Manu to the period of the brāhmaṇical ‘counterrevolution’ in the age of the Śuṅgas.² But a careful study of the law-book of Nārada (fifth-sixth century) would show that the brāhmaṇas are given equally, if not more, important privileges by that lawgiver. A comparison of some technical terms used in Manu with those found in inscriptions also suggests a late date for this law-book. - [Previous: c14.37](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c14.37) - [Next: c15.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c15.2) - [Up: c15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c15) ## Cites (2) - [Mānava Dharmaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.manu) — Manu & Bhṛgu, Sanskrit - [Nāradasmṛti](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.narada) — Nārada, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c15.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c15.1) · Pramāṇa