Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c7.17

c7.17

Sources for the post-Mauryan period 191 Manu on the approximation of the śūdras with vaiśyas 192 Artisans in the context of commerce and handicrafts 195 Epigraphic and literary records on artisans 199 Manu's economic measures against the śūdras 201 Wages and living conditions of the labourers 204 Adverse position of the śūdras in law and polity 207 Severe punishments for śūdras offending against members of the superior varṇas 211 Discrimination against the śūdra regarding inheritance, adultery and social intercourse 214 Śūdras and slaves in Manu 216 Manu's ban on social intercourse between the śūdra and the brāhmaṇa 220 Marriage forms followed by the vaiśyas and the śūdras 223 Sudden increase in mixed castes in Manu 225 Untouchables in Manu 227 Manu on śūdra's exclusion from Vedic studies and performance of religious rites 230 Some religious practices of the śūdras and influence of Vaiṣṇavism 232 Role of the śūdras in the crisis reflected by the descriptions of the Kali age 233 Manu's violent anti-śūdra measures 236 Signs of weakening in the servile status of the śūdras 240