The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c24.s3.31

c24.s3.31

Society was officially divided into at least four classes, the highest class being composed of the Mahārathis, the Mahābhojas, and the Mahāsenāpatīs, who were feudatory chieftains in charge of *rashtras* or districts, the Mahābhojas being located in the north Konkan, and the Mahārathis in the country above the Western Ghāts. The second class comprised both officials and non-officials, among the former being the Amātyas and Mahāmātras, and the Bhāndāgārikas, who were in charge of the treasuries; while the latter included the *Naigama* (merchant), the *Sārthavāha* (head of a caravan of traders), and the *Sresthin* (head of a trade-guild). In the third class were the *Lekhaka* (scribe), *Vaidya* (physician), *Hālakīya* (cultivator), *Suvarnakāra* (goldsmith) and *Gāndhika* (druggist). The fourth class included the *Vardhaki* (carpenter), *Mālākāra* (gardener), *Lohavanija* (blacksmith), and *Dāsaka* (fisherman). The mercantile and cultivating classes were apparently subdivided into various *grihas* (homesteads) or *kutumbas* or *kulas* (families), the head of each of which was considered of sufficient importance to be designated respectively *Grihapati* or *Kutumbin*.