Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c7.20

c7.20

Emergence of śūdra peasants 257 Causes of the śūdra peasanthood 260 Position of artisans 262 Śūdra traders 267 The place of śūdras in the political organisation of Gupta times 268 Continuance of varṇa distinctions in the administration of law and justice 269 Lessening of discriminations in the administration of criminal law and military recruitment 274 The śūdra hostility to the existing social order 279 Some improvement in the social status of the śūdras 281 Continuance of the brāhmaṇa boycott of the śūdra's food 283 Food habits of the śūdras 285 Marriage practices of the śūdras 286 Mixed castes 289 The condition of the untouchables 290 Education of the śūdras 293 Religious rights and sacraments for the śūdras 295 Medieval texts on the social and religious conduct of the śūdras 305 The śūdra's right of making gifts 306 The contribution of Vaiṣṇavism and Śaivism to the religious elevation of the śūdras 307 Significance of the enlargement of religious rights of the śūdras 312