The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c15.13

c15.13

Almost in the same sense as *gahapati* is the expression *kuṭumbika* used; this also denotes members of the citizen class, as a rule like *gahapatis*, wealthy citizens at the head of a household (*kuṭumba*). Connection with such a *kuṭumbika* family appears to have been considered suitable by the rich and aristocratic families: a leading citizen (*nagaravâsi kulaputta* I. 196) seeks the daughter of a *kuṭumbika* living in a village for his son. The *kuṭumbikas* living in the town engage in trade, according to the Jâtakas. Thus, in the Sâlaka Jâtaka it is said of the Bodhisatta that he is reborn in a *kuṭumbika* family and maintains his livelihood by dealing in corn (dhaññavikkaya II. 267). Several times mention is made of money-transactions which the kutumbikas who are residents of a town carry on with the country. Over and above the kutumbika from Sâvatthi, mentioned in the paccuppannavatthu of the Succaja Jâtaka (III. 66), who goes with his wife into the country in order to collect debts, there is mentioned in the Satapatta Jâtaka a kutumbika who lends a villager 1,000 kahâpaṇas (II. 388). The sons of another kutumbika determine after the death of their father to administer his goods and collect his assets; they go to the village and return after they collect 1,000 kahâpaṇas.