Nevertheless the status of the Sudra still remains attached to the large community of the impure castes formed from the indigenous tribes, who have settled in Hindu villages and entered the caste system.

These are relegated to the most degrading and menial occupations, and their touch is regarded as conveying defilement like that of the Sudras.

[27] The status of the Sudras was not always considered so low, and they were sometimes held to rank above the mixed castes.

And in modern times in Bengal Sudra is quite a respectable term applied to certain artisan castes which there have a fairly good position.

But neither were the indigenous tribes always reduced to the impure status.