Shudra (IAST: Sanskrit and Hindi: शूद्र Śūdra, normally now spelled Sudra or Súdra in English, which has produced a spelling pronunciation.[1]) is the lowest Varna in the traditional four-section division in the Hindu caste system. Their assigned and expected role in post-Vedic North India was that of farmers, craftsmen and labourers. The four Varnas are Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra. (Hindu society eventually came to include a fifth pariah class, the lowest of all, popularly known as "untouchables.")
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Whilst the origins of the other varnas can be traced to Proto-Indo-European words, the word is translated as the Sanskrit word for color of the soul. In the Shanti Parva of Mahabharata, it is said that there was only one Varna - Brahmana - in the beginning. The other Varnas were formed depending on the dominance of the three Gunas - Sattwa, Rajah and Tamah - in one's self.
The etymology of the word is not certain. One theory is that Shudra comes from the word śuchāt dravanam (शुचात् द्रवनम्) [citation needed] a person who is in suffering/mourning/pain, who needs mental or physical cleansing. This theory is however intended to demean the significance of the Varna system. Shudra was a common Sanskrit word, any person regardless of his/her varna to could be addressed as shudra. An implied version of this common form has become traditionally associated with the varna system. It is also mentioned in the purusha-sukta of Rigveda where shudras are said to have emanated from the feet of the lord (पद्भ्याम् शूद्र् अजायत padbhyām śūdro ajāyata)[citation needed]. A very symbolic statement indeed. It denotes that the three other varnas which made up the parts of purusha (पुरुश, the lord) were supported by the shudras as the feet form the supporting system of the entire body[citation needed]. This can be understood clearly from the fact that the shudras were basically farmers, potters, cobblers etc (anything the other three varnas would not do viz, teaching, fighting and trade) [citation needed] and hence they formed a support system for the entire society. Unfortunately, direct misinterpretations of these vedic hymns have caused a lot of unrest and confusion in the modern Hindu society. Vedas do not establish supremacy of any varna over the other nor do they say head of the Lord is superior to his feet. Sri Krishna in Bhagavad Gita clarifies (Chapter 4 verse 13) states "catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah tasya kartaram api mam viddhy akartaram avyayam" meaning that the fours varnas were established based on one's karma/duties[citation needed] .
The theoretical and the original varnas carried to its extreme in the ages following the 'vajj' Indian period. Every Jāti claimed to belong to some Varna.
Local variations of Jāti sub-castes exist within the Shudra caste. A sub-caste is a local endogenous group practising a lower end Shudras will be untouchable Dalits.
Dalit is considered as shudra. Ezhava a caste of Kerala is in chandala, so brahmins, Nairs, and other upper castes kept Ezhava more feet than Sambava, Pulaya etc. However, people of Ezhava did not allow and at the same time upper caste people allowed Sambava, Pulaya, Thachan, and other shudras to enter their compound. So, Ezhava did toddy tapping in non-house compound of uupercaste people.
It is commonly believed that the caste division is somewhat uniform in North Indian society compared to South Indian society. However some prominent rulers of North India were believed to have originated from the Shudra caste. Ex: The Nandas and the Mauryas. Another feature of North Indian society is the presence of castes or Jatis with unknown varna status eg Kayasthas, khatris etc which are upper castes as such but with conflicting varna status.
Inscriptions of Shudra dynasties declare that belonging to the fourth varna was a matter of pride. An inscription of Singaya-Nayaka (1368 CE) says:[2]
The three castes, viz. Brahmanas and the next [Kshatriyas and Vaishyas], were produced from the face, the arms and the thighs of the Lord; and for their support was born the fourth caste from His feet. That this caste is purer than the former [three] is self-evident; for this caste was born along with the river Ganges [which also springs from his feet], the purifier of the three worlds. The members of this caste are eagerly attentive to their duties, not wicked, pure-minded, and are devoid of passion and other such blemishes; they ably bear all the burdens of the earth by helping those born in the kingly caste.
Another inscription relates how his relative Kapaya-Nayaka "rescued the Andhra country from the ravages of the Mohammedans".[3]
Shudra as a Varna is seen amongst the Hindus of Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bali in Indonesia. In Bali, Indonesia they form 97% of the practicing Hindu population (See Balinese caste system). During the historic period many people in Java, Cambodia and Champa (a region in Vietnam) were considered to be Shudras prior to their conversion to Islam and Buddhism.
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Shudra (plural Shudras)
Shudra is a division of the caste system. A shudra is a servant.
   | The Jati-Varna Matrix - Hindu History - The Emergence of the Caste System (The Jati-Varna Matrix) |
| | Caste System in Bengal - Caste System in Bengal |
| | Bhakta Narayana Guru - Hindu Voice UK - A Voice For The British Hindu |
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