[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) › c9.201 # Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c9.201 Śūdras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c9.201 - **Language:** English ### [c9.201](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c9.201) During this period we also find traces of contempt for the caṇḍāla. It is stated that those who are of good conduct will attain good rebirth as a brāhmaṇa, a kṣatriya or a vaiśya; but those who are of bad conduct will enter the stinking womb of a dog, swine or caṇḍāla.² It is to be noted that, unlike the case of the caṇḍāla, birth in the śūdra varṇa is not described as impure (\*kapūyām\*), though it seems to have been looked upon as undesirable. It further appears that the caṇḍālas, who were an aboriginal tribe,³ were coming to be regarded as of reprehensible conduct. But in the early texts of this period the caṇḍāla appears as a victim in the \*puruṣamedha\* sacrifice,⁴ which gives no indication of his being untouchable. The Paulkasa, however, was associated with loathsomeness.⁵ - [Previous: c9.200](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c9.200) - [Next: c9.202](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c9.202) - [Up: c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c9) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c9.201](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.sharma-1958.c9.201) · Pramāṇa