[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [General history and culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general) › [The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.rapson-1922) › v1.c19.s9.106 # The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c19.s9.106 The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c19.s9.106 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c19.s9.106](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.rapson-1922.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. - [Previous: v1.c19.s9.105](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.rapson-1922.v1.c19.s9.105) - [Next: v1.c19.s9.107](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.rapson-1922.v1.c19.s9.107) - [Up: v1.c19.s9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.rapson-1922.v1.c19.s9) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.rapson-1922.v1.c19.s9.106](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.rapson-1922.v1.c19.s9.106) · Pramāṇa