Shudra

Shudra is one of the four varnas in the traditional Hindu social order. In classical Sanskrit sources, shudra denotes a person assigned to service-oriented occupations. The term appears in Vedic and post-Vedic texts and is typically presented as the lowest of the four varnas, contrasted with Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas. In many dharma-literature traditions, Shudras are described as providing labor and services to the other three varnas, including agriculture, crafts, trade, and various forms of manual work.

The varna framework is distinct from the later jati (caste) system; in practice, social organization in India comprises numerous jatis within each varna, and regional variations have produced diverse identities. Some communities identify themselves as Shudra or trace lineage to Shudra origins; others belong to jatis outside a single varna. Across texts, duties assigned to Shudras are not uniform, and the concept has been debated by scholars and reformers.

In modern times, the Shudra concept is primarily of historical and sociological interest. Social reform movements challenged caste-based hierarchy, and contemporary Indian law uses caste categories for policy purposes—such as Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, and Scheduled Tribes—rather than the classical varna categories. The term Shudra thus remains a topic in scholarly discussion of ancient Hindu social order and is used cautiously to discuss past roles rather than contemporary identity.