Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c8.42

c8.42

The position of the lowest order in ancient Indian society cannot be studied without raising a few questions. What led to the formation of the śūdra community? If the śūdras were meant for serving the three higher orders, can they be categorised as slaves? Was ancient Indian society a slave society? How far does the ritual status of the śūdras correspond to their economic status? Did the reforming religious sects bring about any fundamental change in the position of the lower orders or did they try to contain and stabilise the changes that had occurred on account of other factors? Did the role of the lower orders in the economic system undergo any change over the centuries? How is it that the twice-born vaiśyas came to be reduced to the level of the śūdras and śūdras placed on a par with the vaiśyas? How do we explain the proliferation of the servile orders towards the end of the period of our study? How did the śūdras react to their servility and disabilities? Why are social revolts comparatively absent in ancient India? We have tried to tackle these and similar other problems.