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The Shudras are the lowest and largest caste in the Hindu caste system, traditionally working in service or unskilled trades. They face discrimination from higher castes but have been supported by social reform movements. The caste system is rooted in religious texts, with Brahmins as the highest caste. Shudras were locked into positions of servility and sought upward mobility through conversion to egalitarian religions. The Constitution of India abolished the caste system, but discrimination still exists, especially in rural areas. Organizations work for greater equality between castes.
Under the Hindu caste system, shudras are the lowest and highest caste. Traditionally, shudras have worked in service, as slaves or practitioners of unskilled trades. Although members of this caste are not vilified like Dalits or untouchables, they still face great discrimination from higher caste members. In the 20th century, numerous organizations worked for equality in India, abolishing the caste system and aiming to create a more egalitarian society. Many social reforms have been instituted by the independence movement in India making life very different for the Shudras among many others.
The roots of the caste system are found in the Vedas, religious texts crucial to the practice of Hinduism. According to the Vedas, there are four varnas, or castes. The highest caste, the Brahmins, are scholars and priests. Kshatriyas are warriors and rulers, while Vaishyas are merchants and skilled craftsmen. Under this system, the Shudras are the largest caste and a substantial part of Hindu society. Casteless people are known by a variety of terms.
Shudras have classically lived lives of service. Slaves were often classified as Shudras, as were cobblers, blacksmiths, maids, cooks, and so on. They were generally not granted the same rights as the upper castes, who were forced to use different temples and public facilities. Over the centuries of the caste system, this has led to great resentment among the Shudras.
Since the rigid caste system historically did not allow for upward mobility, members of this caste were locked into positions of servility. As the caste system evolved to become hereditary, that meant more generations got stuck in service. As more egalitarian religions spread across Asia, many Shudras converted to them, seeking a belief system that advocated equal rights and opportunities for all. The Shudra caste were also strong supporters of reform movements such as the one that eventually led to the abolition of the caste system through the Constitution of India.
According to the Constitution, the caste system should not determine one’s place in society. In practice, however, this is not always the case, especially in rural India. While Shudras are certainly in theory welcome to marry into other castes or become merchants, warriors, priests and rulers, many find this difficult. Numerous organizations in India work for greater equality between castes and for more rights between lower castes and Dalits.
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