[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) › c16.6 # Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c16.6 Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c16.6 - **Language:** English ### [c16.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c16.6) ² The number eighteen is latter applied to tīrthas (officers in the Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya), parihāra (immunities), parvans and akṣauhiṇīs in the Mahābhārata, to Purāṇas and so on. Its multiple thirty-six appears in early medieval times to enumerate varṇas. - [Previous: c16.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c16.5) - [Next: c16.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c16.7) - [Up: c16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c16) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c16.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c16.6) · Pramāṇa