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Economic Life in Ancient India as Depicted in Jain Canonical Literature c8.s8: 6. Mining

Economic Life in Ancient India as Depicted in Jain Canonical Literature c8.s8

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English

Contents

6. Mining

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Mining is an important primary industry in which minerals and metals are extracted from the womb of the earth for the economic and social needs of human beings. The availability of minerals and metals has a great bearing on the economic development of a country.

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Mining was an important industry at that time as well. The Jaina canonical texts mention about the extraction of various kinds of minerals, metals and precious stones. The term 'āgara' occurring in the texts denotes the mines which provided many kinds of mineral products. The references in the texts of various professions and trade in metallic commodities clearly show a highly developed industry of mining and metallurgy in that period.

Metals

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The canonical texts mention various metals viz., iron (aya, loha), copper (tamba), tin (tauya), lead (sīsaga), silver (ruppa), gold (suvaṇṇa), etc.² which were extracted from the mines. Gold and silver were mostly used in ornaments. Utensils were made from copper. Iron was required for manufacturing agricultural implements and other articles

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² *Cf.*, *Uttarādhyayana Sūtram*, Vol. III, Chap. 36, V. 73, p. 1679.

Minerals

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Besides metals many other mineral products were extracted e. g. mica (abhrapaṭala), antimony (añjana), mercury (sāsaga), vermilion (hiṅgulaya), orpiment (hariyāla), arsenic or realgar (maṇosīlā), rock salt (loṇa), soda (usa), sulphur (sogandhiya), etc.³ These minerals catered to the various needs of people—both domestic and industrial.

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³ *Cf.*, *Ibid*, V. 74, p. 1679.

Precious stones

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Gems and jewels have been frequently mentioned in the texts. Both the king and the people used to keep these as a part of their wealth and affluence. The king's mansion was studded with precious stones of various kinds. The rich people possessed them in large quantity and used them in ornaments and for other purposes. The courtesans (gaṇiya) possessed costly jewels and their chambers were adorned with precious jewels.¹ The palanquins of the kings, nobles and rich persons (*śreṣṭhis*) were inlaid with costly gems.

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¹ *Cf.*, Jain, Komala Candra, *Bauddha Aura Jaina Āgamo Me Nārī Jīvana*, pp. 152-154.

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The important precious stones mentioned are Gomedaka or Gomayajjae (zircon), Markata Maṇi (maragaya), Vaiḍūya or Vaiḍurya (cat’s eye), Candrakānta or Candraprabhā (moonstar), Suryakānta Maṇi, Indranīla (sapphire), Sphaṭika (quartz), Lohitākṣa, Marakata (emerald), Saugandhikā (ruby), Vaira (diamond), etc.²

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² *Cf.*, *Uttarādhyayana Sūtram*, Vol. III, Chap. 36, V. 73-76, pp. 1680-1681.

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There were persons expert in the field of gem and jewels called Maṇikāras (jewellers). There is a reference of Maṇikāra śreṣṭhi in Rājagṛha who had abundant gems and jewels.³ Various ornaments of pearls and jewels are mentioned in the texts viz. Kaṇagāvali (necklace of gold and gems), rayaṇāvali (necklace of jewels), muttāvali (necklace of pearls), etc.

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³ *Cf.*, *Jñatādharmakathāṅga Sūtram*, Vol. II, Ch. 13, S. 2, p. 735.

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The above description of the various agricultural, agro-based, mining or forestry occupations clearly depicts the high level of perfection achieved in the respective fields. The mention of the art of fruit preservation proves its abundance on one hand and trade on the other. The transportation of fruits from jungles to cities for sale proves the planned manner in which jungles were developed and maintained. Further, it brings to light the existence of roads and good government. The trade in vegetables and flowers—the highly perishable commodities—is a pointer to the highly developed state of trade and industry. A study of the state of industry will further give an idea of the level of development in the period. Now in this light we will take up the study of the state of industry.

Cites (2)