historian r. s. sharma, after discussing several examples concludes that the dharmaśāstras did not allow the shudras access to "literate education" but allowed them to learn arts and crafts such as elephant training, etc. he also adds that texts denied them vedic education as it was believed that it impedes agriculture and vice-versa. while the other varnas showed varying degrees of literacy, the shudras were generally illiterate. the social reformer jyotirao phule blamed the deterioration of the shudras on illiteracy and emphasized education for them. phule stated: