Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c16.25

c16.25

It is obvious that we can neither accept Manu’s explanation of the proliferation of castes nor its further projection in later texts. Then how did this number increase? Since many of the mixed castes were originally tribes, we have to find out the circumstances under which they were made part of the caste system. As stated earlier, conquest and territorial expansion brought the caste or varṇa-based rulers into contact with the tribal, aboriginal people all over the country. Since the established values regarding property, social orders and patriarchal family were not shared by the tribal people who did not understand the language of the ruling class, by persisting in their old ways of life they created troubles for these rulers. Aśoka had to face difficulties, and he tried to convert them to civilized life by propagating principles of dharma among them. He claims to have achieved success, but we have no idea of its extent.