Occupation Shudra

a gurkha, brahmin , shudra in 1868 photo.

the shudra, states marvin davis, not required learn vedas. not twice born (dvija), , occupational sphere stated service (seva) of other 3 varna. word dvija neither found in vedas , upanishads, nor found in vedanga literature such shrauta-sutras or grihya-sutras. word entirely missing, in context, ancient sanskrit literature composed before last centuries of 1st millennium bce, , scarcely appears in dharmasutras literature. increasing mentions of appear in dharmasastras texts of mid late 1st-millennium ce. presence of word dvija marker text medieval era indian text.

the traditional occupation of shudra described laborers , service providers. however, categorization varies scholar. example, sources state agriculturalists , artisans hereditary occupation of vaishya varna, place these occupations shudra varna, while such charles drekmeier state vaishya , shudra shared many occupations , grouped .

the arthashastra mentions shudra artisans, while vishnusmriti (3rd century) states arts occupational domain. in contrast, parasarasmriti , other texts state arts , crafts occupational domain of 4 varnas.

other sources state statement of occupations of shudra theoretical discussion found in select texts, not historical. other hindu texts such epics, states naheem jabbar, assert shudras played other roles such kings , ministers. according ghurye, in reality, hereditary occupation aspect of shudra , other varnas missing large parts of india, , 4 varnas (brahmins, kshatriyas, vaishyas , shudras) agriculturalists, traders or became warriors in large numbers depending on economic opportunity , circumstantial necessities. according ghurye:

though theoretically position of shudras low, there evidence show many of them well-to-do. of them succeeded in marrying daughters in royal families. sumitra, 1 of 4 wives of king dasharatha, shudra. of them worked way throne. famous chandragupta traditionally known shudra.

bali, indonesia

among hindu communities of bali indonesia, shudra (locally spelled soedra) have typically been temple priests, though depending on demographics, temple priest may brahmin (brahmana), kshatriya (ksatrya) or vaishya (vesya). in regions, has been shudra typically make offerings gods on behalf of hindu devotees, chant prayers, recite meweda (vedas), , set course of balinese temple festivals.

historical evidence

scholars have tried locate historical evidence existence , nature of varna , jati in documents , inscriptions of medieval india. supporting evidence existence of varna , jati systems in medieval india has been elusive, , contradicting evidence has emerged.

varna mentioned in extensive medieval era records of andhra pradesh, example. has led cynthia talbot, professor of history , asian studies, question whether varna socially significant in daily lives of region. mention of jati rarer, through 13th century. 2 rare temple donor records warrior families of 14th century claim shudras. 1 states shudras bravest, other states shudras purest.

richard eaton, professor of history, writes, become warrior regardless of social origins, nor jati appear features of people s identity. occupations fluid. evidence shows, according eaton, shudras part of nobility, , many father , sons had different professions, suggesting social status earned, not inherited in hindu kakatiya population in deccan region between 11th , 14th centuries.

historical evidence left buddhist rulers in ancient , medieval india not mention shudra. example, according johannes bronkhorst, none of ashoka s inscriptions mention terms kshatriyas, vaishyas or shudras, , mention brahmins , Śramaṇas.

several popular medieval era bhakti movement poet-saints , religious leaders born in shudra family. examples include tukaram , namdev. compositions of namdev have been popular not in hindu community of maharashtra, in sikh community. sixty of compositions included sikh gurus of punjab region compiled sikhism scripture guru granth sahib.