000			01799nam a2200205Ia 4500
999			_c40705 _d40705
005			20220204163606.0
008			200204s9999 xx 000 0 und d
020			_a8120807065
082			_a305.56 SHA 3rd ed.
100			_aSharma, Ram Sharan.
245		0	_aSudras in ancient India : _ba social history of the lower order down to circa A.D. 600
250			_a3rd ed.
260			_aDelhi
260			_bMotilal Banaridas
260			_c1990
300			_a384 p.
520			_aSūdras 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.
650			_aShudras
942			_cB _2ddc