Hindu Administrative Institutions c12.s3.45

c12.s3.45

Under the category of weavers' guilds,¹ we get a glimpse of the method of manufacture of cotton and woollen goods. Articles of good finish were a speciality and the economic laws of substitution and imitation were not unknown. As regards the washermen associations² it is mentioned that every cloth must be marked so as to avoid substitution, and must be retained from one to seven days according to the variety of colours. There was both rough and nice washing. Washermen tampering with these clothes, either by sale, mortgage or hire, were liable to punishment. It is evident that even these tiny organizations had a leader whose advice was often sought and taken. Such leaders were held in esteem and even honoured by the Government. A striking instance of this recognition of the voluntary service to the state is seen from the drama, *Mudrārākṣasa*. Here mention is made of a guild of lapidaries as well as other corporations in all the townships of the empire. Through the orders of king Chandragupta, Chandanadāsa, the headman of the guild of lapidaries is appointed as the paramount head of all guilds throughout the