[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) › c8.159 # Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c8.159 Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c8.159 - **Language:** English ### [c8.159](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c8.159) The Vedic Indians were primarily pastoral;¹ at least this holds good of the Āryans known from the early parts of the \*Ṛg Veda\*. Anthropological investigations show that some pastoral tribes also keep slaves although in a relative sense slavery is more developed among agricultural tribes.² - [Previous: c8.158](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c8.158) - [Next: c8.160](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c8.160) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c8.159](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c8.159) · Pramāṇa