shudras

Shudras are one of the four varnas in the traditional Hindu social order. In classical theories, Shudras occupy the lowest varna and are described as those who perform service for the other three, primarily in labor, craft, agriculture, and domestic work. The term comes from Sanskrit shudra, generally rendered as "servant" or "worker."

Traditional duties are described in various Dharmashastra and Vedic texts as serving Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas; the exact scope and status of Shudras vary by region and period. Some texts assign limited rights to study or certain rites, while others emphasize their essential role in sustaining the other varnas; however, many later sources present a more rigid hierarchy. The category also encompasses a wide range of occupations and communities, and sub-caste groups within Shudras developed across regions.

Historically, Shudra identities overlapped with occupational groups such as artisans, laborers, and service providers. The social reality has differed widely by geography and era, and the lines between varna and jati (birth groups) have been fluid rather than uniform.

In modern India, the traditional varna framework is not legally enforced. The Constitution abolishes untouchability and prohibits caste-based discrimination. The state recognizes certain castes and communities for affirmative action via reservations—Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes (including some Shudra communities in various states). Caste identities remain a factor in social life, but their status and interpretation have transformed through reform movements, demographic change, and legal protections.

Scholars continue to debate the historical origins and social functions of the varna system. Many view varna as a flexible, historically contingent category rather than a fixed, universal hierarchy.