shudra
- noun
- /ˈʃuːdrə/
- Specialized
- In the village, shudras often worked hard to support the families of the upper castes.
Examples
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The ancient text describes the duties assigned to a shudra in society.
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During the ceremony, a shudra was not allowed to participate in certain rituals.
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Historians debate how rigid the role of the shudras was in classical India.
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The shudra community has a rich cultural heritage.
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Many shudras have contributed significantly to Indian society.
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As a shudra, he was expected to serve the higher varnas with respect and dedication.
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The shudras played important roles as laborers in many traditional communities across India.
Synonyms
A member of the lowest Hindu caste who traditionally does manual or service work
Surface Forms
Etymology
Shudra comes from the ancient Sanskrit word śūdra, which meant 'servant' or 'worker' in India. So the name was given to the lowest social group whose traditional role was to serve others and do everyday work.