Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s2.19

c48.s2.19

§ 39. **Village artisans and servants.** Handicrafts and mechanical arts have always held a low place in public esteem in India, and to this day, in societies moulded on archaic lines such as those of the lower Himālaya, the division between them and agricultural occupations is very marked. An exception is found, as a rule, in the worker in the precious metals, a trade tolerated, if not honoured, even in Vedic times. Throughout the greater part of India the castes of the artisans are graduated according to the material used in the calling.