Shudra
Shudra ( Sanskrit शूद्र , m., Śūdra , f., Śūdrā ) is the name of the fourth caste ( Varna ) of the traditional four castes in the Indian caste system . Apart from the Dalit , who are outside the caste system, they represent the lowest stratum of Indian society and form the majority of the population: artisans , tenant farmers , day laborers , servants , agricultural workers , laborers .
In modern India , where the caste system has been abolished since the founding of the republic in 1947, but still plays a major role in everyday social life, the Shudras are often among the so-called Other Backward Classes (OBC). Since the lower castes (the Scheduled Castes ) were granted easier access to administrative posts according to a quota system , this fueled resistance among the 'OBCs, who also tried to benefit from these advantages. The Shudra sets are also considered pure by the Orthodox Hindus , which is why they have always lived within the localities. Since the Shudras are very numerous, the name Shudra says little about group membership, as z. B. is the case with the Brahmins. The lower castes ( jatis ) are more meaningful here and play a greater role in one's own identity and social life.
In the 10th book of Rigveda , the Purushasukta , it is described how the different castes came about. They arose from the primordial giant Purusha during a sacrifice . The head became the Brahmins , the arms became the Kshatriya , the thighs became the Vaishya and the feet became the Shudra.
According to the classical legal texts such as the Manusmriti , the Shudras are obliged to serve the higher castes.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Encyclopædia Britannica : Shudra.Retrieved Jan 23, 2014.