Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c8.312

c8.312

Evidently the Śūdra tribe performed military functions, as was the case with the Āryan tribes and their tribal institutions.³ In the *Mahābhārata* the army of the Śūdra people is mentioned along with that of the Ambaṣṭhas, Śibis, Sūrasenas etc.⁴ But this could not convert the whole tribe of the Śūdras into a kṣatriya varṇa, as we know it, with well defined functions and privileges. Therefore the theory that the kṣatriyas were reduced to the position of śūdras has hardly anything to commend itself.