Hinduism

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Sudra

Encyclopedia of World Cultures | 1996 | | Copyright

Sudra

ETHNONYMS: Shoodra, Shudra, Ṣūdra

The Sudras are the lowest-ranking of the four varnas into which Indian society was traditionally divided; but they are definitely higher in rank than the Untouchables or Panchamas, a category so demeaned in status that it is not even referred to in the classical varna model. Sudras are essentially rural laborers: the classical lawgiver Manu (c. 2nd century a.d.) defined their role as essentially to serve the three higher-ranking varnas. A racial justification for this state of affairs is implied in the earliest Sanskrit writings, which suggested that whereas the three higher varnas were originally the Indo-Aryan invaders, the Sudras were Dāsas, darker-skinned Aborigines (who probably spoke Dravidian languages). If there is any historic truth to this idea, then the Sudras may be viewed as the modern descendants of those who created the Indus (or Harappan) civilization.

Sudras are not entitled to wear a sacred thread, but they have normally been allowed to enter all Hindu temples (something that was not true for Untouchables). Today Sudras commonly are self-employed farmers, but they may also be found in all walks of modern life. They number several hundred million, and they include hundreds of castes in every part of the country.

Bibliography

Hutton, John H. (1963). Caste in India. 4th ed. London: Oxford University Press.

PAUL HOCKINGS

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Śūdra

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Śūdra. Fourth social, or occupational, division (varna) in Hinduism. The origin of the word is uncertain. From Ṛg Veda 10. 90. 12, where the hierarchy is rājanya (rulers), brāhmaṇas, vaiśyas, and śūdras, it is assumed that they were already menials, though at least included in the Vedic community, even if, as not being ‘twice-born’, not wholly integrated. Their emergence in creation from under the feet of Puruṣa summarizes their position in society.

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JOHN BOWKER. "Śūdra." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Śūdra." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-dra.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Śūdra." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-dra.html

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Sudra

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Copyright

Sudra a member of the worker caste, lowest of the four Hindu castes.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Sudra." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Sudra." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Sudra.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Sudra." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Sudra.html

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Sudra

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

Sudra •abhorrer, adorer, Andorra, angora, aura, aurora, bora, Bora-Bora, borer, Camorra, Cora, corer, Dora, Eleonora, Eudora, explorer, fedora, flora, fora, ignorer, Isadora, Kia-Ora, Laura, Leonora, Maura, menorah, Nora, pakora, Pandora, pourer, roarer, scorer, senhora, señora, signora, snorer, soarer, Sonora, sora, storer, Theodora, Torah, Tuscarora, Vlorë •goalscorer • cobra • okra • Oprah •Socotra • Moira • Sudra •chaulmoogra • supra •Brahmaputra, sutra •Zarathustra • Louvre • fulcra •Tripura •borough, burgh, Burra, curragh, demurrer, thorough •Rubbra •penumbra, umbra •tundra • chakra • ultra • kookaburra

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	An ancient Sudra account of the origin of castes. Magazine article from: The Journal of the American Oriental Society; 10/1/1994
	HELP DIED ON DOORSTEP: Yajay Sudra. ME MUM; Last words of stabbed student as... Newspaper article from: Birmingham Mail (England); 7/17/2010
	Yajay held our family together. Then he was stabbed and died in my arms;... Newspaper article from: Birmingham Mail (England); 7/4/2011