The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c19.s9.106

v1.c19.s9.106

The arable ground of the *gāma* lay without the clustered dwellings, since these were apparently enclosed by a wall or stockade with gates (*gāmadvāra*)¹¹. Fences¹², snares¹³, and field watchmen¹⁴ guarded the *khetta* or *gāmakhetta* from intrusive beasts and birds, while the internal boundaries of each householder's plot were apparently made by channels dug for co-operative irrigation¹⁵. These dividing ditches, rectangular and curvilinear, were likened, at least in the Magadha *khettas*, to a patchwork robe, and prescribed by the Buddha as a pattern for the uniform of his Order: torn pieces of cast-away cloth sewn together, 'a thing which could not be coveted'¹⁶. The limits of the whole *khetta* might be extended by fresh clearing of forest land¹⁷. And whereas the majority of holdings were probably small, manageable single-handed or with sons and perhaps a hired man¹⁸, estates of 1000 *karīsas* (acres?) and more occur in the Jātakas, farmed by Brāhmans¹⁹. In the Suttas, again, the Brāhman Kasibhāradvāja is employing 500 ploughs and hired men (*bhatikā*)²⁰ to guide plough and oxen²¹.