This article seeks to analyse the evolution of social hierarchies in ancient India. While the primary focus of the article is on gender hierarchy, it also attempts an examination of the intersection of class and caste as well. This article seeks to trace the linkages between women and śūdra in the ancient textual sources. It has also been argued that since hierarchy is never organic but a deliberate act of creation, in this deliberation, alternative possibilities are either marginalised or effaced.

中文翻译：

---

压迫的等级制度：古印度种姓和性别的前身

本文旨在分析古印度社会等级制度的演变。虽然本文的主要焦点是性别等级，但它也尝试审视阶级和种姓的交叉点。本文试图在古代文献资料中追溯女性与首陀罗之间的联系。也有人认为，由于等级制度从来都不是有机的，而是一种刻意的创造行为，在这种深思熟虑中，其他可能性要么被边缘化，要么被抹去。