[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) › c8.50 # Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c8.50 Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c8.50 - **Language:** English ### [c8.50](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c8.50) In 1847 it was suggested by Roth that the śūdras might have been outside the pale of the Āryan society.¹ Since then it has usually been held that the fourth varṇa of brāhmaṇical society was mainly formed by the non-Āryan population, who were reduced to that position by the Āryan conquerors.² This view continues to derive support from the analogy of conflict between the white-coloured Europeans and the non-white population of Asia and Africa. - [Previous: c8.49](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c8.49) - [Next: c8.51](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c8.51) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c8.50](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c8.50) · Pramāṇa