Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c12.s2.29

c12.s2.29

The use of deer and goat skins for clothing is as old as the *Ṛigveda*⁶. The leather-worker and his handiwork of various kinds are referred to in the early Buddhist literature⁷. Kauṭilya's *Arthaśāstra* (ii. 11) shows knowledge of a wide variety of skins (*charma*) distinguished by their place of origin as well as colour and size. It is interesting to observe that the principal varieties are said to be products of various Himalayan regions. In the description of the Indian dress by Arrian (*Indica* xvi), to which we have referred above, we have an incidental allusion to the skill of the Indian leather-worker. ‘The Indians,’ we are told, ‘wear shoes made of white leather and these are elaborately trimmed, while the soles are variegated.’