3 Review(s)

Who Were the Shudras? by B. R. Ambedkar is a seminal historical and sociological study that examines the origins and social status of the Shudra community within the traditional Hindu caste system. Written in 1946, the book challenges orthodox interpretations of caste by exploring Vedic and post-Vedic sources. Ambedkar argues that the Shudras were not originally a distinct lower caste, but part of the early Aryan community who gradually lost their status due to social conflicts and the denial of the sacred thread (Upanayana), which excluded them from Vedic learning and religious rights. He highlights how priestly dominance and power struggles contributed to their degradation in society. By presenting a scholarly critique rooted in history, philology, and religious texts, Ambedkar dismantles the idea of divine sanction for caste hierarchy. The book remains a powerful intervention in debates on caste, social justice, and the reinterpretation of India’s past.