or Sudra
Fourth and lowest of the varna s, or social classes, of Hindu India.
Traditionally composed of artisans and labourers, it probably originally included all conquered peoples of the Indus civilization as they were assimilated into the caste system. Members are not permitted to participate in the upanayana and thus cannot study the Veda s. The high end of the Shudra includes some landowners; at the low end are untouchable s. See also Brahman ; Kshatriya ; Vaishya .