Shudra
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Shudra or Sudra is the fourth caste or varna in the traditional four-section division in Indian society. Their role in Vedic India was that of artisans and labourers. These four varnas are Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Shudra.
Whilst the origins of the other varnas can be traced to Indo-Aryan 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.) 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. 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. There is no etymology of the word as well, it just emerges suddenly in the purusha-sukta of Rig-veda. The numerical strength of this varna is also not clear from the Vedic corpus as tasks attributed to Shudras later are done by Vaisys in the era represented by these texts.
The Jati (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.
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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.
Shudras and North Indian society
The caste division is somewhat uniform in North Indian society compared to South Indian society. However some prominent rulers of North India were believed to have originated from the Shudra caste. Ex: The Nandas and Chandragupta Maurya.
Shudras and South Indian society
South Indian society makes more sense from feudal angle than caste angle. Here, both the dominant castes like the Kammas, Kapus, Reddys, Velamas, Kurubas, Vokkaligas etc. and weaker castes are classified under Shudras. However, even South Indian society had a group of people called "Untouchables".
This caste model is also true for Bengal, Orissa, Assam and even Maharashtra states and areas in central and east India. Hence the mapping of four varnas over these areas is incomplete indicating a relatively recent adherence to the caste systems by the native populations.
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 developement 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
Template:Weasel Like most of the other castes Shudras also either totally dismissive of caste identities or fiercely proud of it. It is generally perceived that North Indian urban society is more liberal than South Indian urban society when it comes to marriages across the castes, mostly within twice-born castes. However, the situation could be reversed when it comes to rural societies. The murders of couples belonging different castes is more common in North Indian society than in South Indian society.
Further reading
- Ambedkar, B.R. Who were the Shudras and other writings. 1946. [http://www.dr-ambedkar.com/writings/38A.%20Who%20were%20the%20Shudras%20Preface.htm