WHO WERE THE SHUDRAS?

Ambedkar begins by questioning the traditional Brahmanical interpretation of the caste system and examines ancient Hindu texts such as the Vedas Smritis and epics like the Mahabharata. He argues that the Shudras were not originally a servile class but belonged to the Kshatriya (warrior) varna. Through historical analysis he posits that the Shudras fell from their status due to a power struggle between the Shudra-Kshatriya kings and the Brahmins which led to their systematic degradation and exclusion. The book explores how the Shudras came to be classified as the lowest varna with Ambedkar attributing this to Brahmanical hegemony. He critiques the imposition of the varna system as a means of social control and highlights how the Shudras were deliberately stripped of their rights such as access to education and religious practices through oppressive laws codified in texts like the Manusmriti. This institutionalized their subjugation and perpetuated their marginalization. Ambedkar concludes by emphasizing the need for social justice and reform to address the inequalities faced by the Shudras and other marginalized groups. He rejects the caste system as inherently unjust and calls for its complete dismantling. The book is a cornerstone of Ambedkar's critique of Hindu orthodoxy and his broader campaign for equality and human rights in India.