Who Were the Shudras?

Who Were the Shudras? is a book written by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.[1][2] Dr. B.R. Ambedkar dedicated the book to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule (1827–1890).

Subject of the book

In this book Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar proves that the Shudras were originally Aryans. Relations have also been drawn between the wide acceptance of Mahars in Hinduism as outcasts and untouchables due to their affirmation of Hindu practices.

Dr. Ambedkar says

undoubtedly the conclusions which I have reached as a result of my investigation. (1) Who were the Shudras? and (2) How they came to be the fourth Varna of the Indo-Aryan society? My answers to them are summarised below : (1) The Shudras were one of the Aryan communities of the Solar race. (2) There was a time when the Aryan society recognised only three Varnas, namely. Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. (3) The Shudras did not form a separate Varna. They ranked as part of the Kshatriya Varna in the Indo-Aryan society. (4) There was a continuous feud between the Shudra kings and the Brahmins in which the Brahmins were subjected to many tyrannies and indignities. (5) As a result of the hatred towards the Shudras generated by their tyrannies and oppressions, the Brahmins refused to perform the Upanayana of the Shudras. (6) Owing to the denial of Upanayana, the Shudras who were Kshatriyas became socially degraded, fell below the rank of the Vaishyas and thus came to form the fourth Varna.

In a separate chapter, Dr. Ambedkar also expresses his view regarding the Partition of India, 1947, stating that if the Muslim community demanded a separate state, their interests must be safeguarded, as a threat would lay to Indian security and stability due to divided interests, as well as a chance of rebellion soon after the Independence of India.

Contents

Preface

Part I

  1. Chapter I - The Riddle of the Shudras
  2. Chapter II - The Brahmanic Theory of the Origin of the Shudras
  3. Chapter III - The Brahmanic Theory of the Status of the Shudras
  4. Chapter IV - Shudras Versus Aryans
  5. Chapter V - Aryans Against Aryans
  6. Chapter VI - Shudras And Dasas

Part II

  1. Chapter VII - The Shudras were Kshatriyas
  2. Chapter VIII - The Number of Varnas, Three or Four?
  3. Chapter IX - Brahmins Versus Shudras
  4. Chapter X - The Degradation of the Shudras
  5. Chapter XI - The Story of Reconciliation
  6. Chapter XII - The Theory in the Crucible

See also

References

  1. ↑ Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (1949). Who were the Shudras?. Bombay: Thackers.
  2. ↑ Karmarkar, A.P. (1946), "Review: Who were the Shudras? by Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar", Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, 30 (1-2): 158–160, JSTOR 41784527

Further reading

External links


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