Sudras in ancient India : a social history of the lower order down to circa A.D. 600

Sūdras in Ancient India tries to show how the labouring class in ancient times came to be known as śūdras. It explores their social and economic relations with the members of the higher varṇas. It also tries to tackle several other problems: Was ancient Indian society a slave society? How far did the ritual status of the sudras correspond to their economic status? How did the vaisyas come to be reduced to the level of the sūdras and the sūdras placed on a par with the vaisyas? What accounts for the proliferation of the servile orders in Gupta and post-Gupta times? Why were social revolts comparatively absent in ancient India?

Although the study hinges on the history of the sūdras, it also works out a frame work for the history of social differentia tion and marks the main stages in the evolution of ancient Indian society. Since social history cannot be studied without appreciating material life, at various stages the impact of settled agricultural life, thriving trade, and land grants on the social formation has been examined and its implications for occupational and territorial mobility discussed. Comparisons have also been made with developments in other ancient societies and also with tribal practices and institutions known to anthropology.