Shudra

Template:TotallydisputedShudra or Sudra is the fourth caste or varna in the traditional four-section division in Indian society. Their assigned and expected role in Vedic India was that of artisans and laborers. The four Jats are Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Shudra.Mlechha is sometimes referred as fifth varna.

Origins

Whilst the origins of the other varnas can be traced to Indo-Aryan or even Proto Indo-European words, the root of the word is not clear at all. A threefold division of societies can be found in ancient Iran that matches the Brahmin, Kshatriya and Vaisya varnas. Although linguistically related Nuristani people in neighboring Afghanistan have a class equivalent to the Shudras amongst them. [1]

From Dasas and Dahyus

It has been proposed that the Shudras were same as Dasas and Dahyus, who are portrayed as enemies of the Aryans in the Vedas, and who it is said were enslaved by the Aryans. But the latter groups are also encountered in the Avestan texts and no subjugation is mentioned, though enmity is. This is because the Dasa, Dasyus or Pani as they are sometimes referred to were Iranic. The Iranians proudly call themselves "Dahyu." Panini was a Pashtu Brahmin of Hinduism who came to India to learn Sanskrit. So then this suggests that the Dasa were merely a tribe. The ancient texts of India betray no such subjugation by conquest resulting in servile group of people, but merely assume that the Shudras are part of society, even if not the most exalted.

Jati

The Jati which derived from the Sanskrit word for birth, is the full blown expansion of the theoretical and the original varnas carried to its extreme in the ages following the 'Vedic' period. Every Jati claimed to belong to some Varna.

Local variations of Jati sub-castes exist within the Shudra caste. A sub-caste is a local endogenous group practicing a particular occupation, which may vary from place to place due to variations in language and occupations in various parts of India. Higher end Shudras can be land lords where as the lower end Shudras will be untouchable Dalits.

Occupations

Though British tried to fit Indians based on traditional roles to any of the four castes, none of the castes always strictly followed any stereotypical roles assigned by the scriptures or Hindu law givers. This was especially true for Shudras. Manu Smriti declares that Shudra must serve other three twice born castes. This entailed the role as labourers and servants to higher caste members. However, big chunk of Shudras were independent occupational groups.

Shudras and South Indian society

South Indian society makes more sense from feudal angle than caste angle. Here, both the dominant castes and weaker castes are classified under Shudras. This caste model is also true for Bengal, Orissa, Assam and even Maharashtra states, areas in central and east India. Hence the mapping of four varnas over these areas is incomplete.

The caste system that made feudal families in all over South India an endogenous unit was readily accepted even though Brahmins didn't exactly give Kshatriya and Vaishya status to all the warrior and merchant communities. Mostly the Brahmins acquired land and until land reforms in twentieth century, were feudal lords.

It could be debated if the people of South India really realized (when it comes to weaker castes) or cared (when it comes to dominant castes), their position in caste hierarchy. Also, most importantly whether many communities even think they were part of the caste system, since if one removes the Vedic part of Brahmanical Hinduism, there isn't much difference between Brahmin worship and native Dravidian worship.

Many South Indian communities had their own temples and priests. However, the universal education during British period and the Western concepts of community identity caused the development of caste consciousness in South Indian society (the clan identities were present and those could be within the caste too). In Tamil Nadu it resulted in the dominant castes asserting themselves through the Dravidian movement against the caste system in general and Brahmins in particular. In Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh it resulted in dominant castes claiming higher caste positions.

Present

Like most of the other castes, Shudras also either totally dismissive of caste identities or fiercely proud of the caste or Jati that they belong in rather than the Varna itself.

References

^ Who were the Shudras By B. R. Ambedkar [2]

^ Shudras in Ancient India/R. Chandra and K.L. Chanchreek. New Delhi, Shree Pub., 2004, xiii, 253 p., ISBN 81-88658-65-0.

^ Early Evidence for Caste in South India[3]

External links