[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) › c9.141 # Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c9.141 Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c9.141 - **Language:** English ### [c9.141](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c9.141) The śūdra was not admitted to the vājapeya (drink of strength) sacrifice, which was supposed to increase the strength of the king. According to one text it was open to the brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya and vaiśya,⁵ but in other texts even the vaiśya came to be excluded.⁶ - [Previous: c9.140](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c9.140) - [Next: c9.142](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c9.142) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c9) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c9.141](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c9.141) · Pramāṇa