The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c17.48

c17.48

According to the Gaṅgamâla Jâtaka, these labourers were taken care of in the house of their master ; they did not, however, live there but went to their lodgings in the evening (sabbe attano attano vasanaṭṭhânâni gatâ III. 445). Probably these were, like the residences of poor people generally, outside the city. The already-mentioned water-carrier lived with a poor woman who likewise supports herself by carrying water, at the northern gate of Benares. “Living by the side of the gate” signified apparently something like “poor, lowly.” “I am the daughter of one living by the side of the gate” (dhîtâ dvâravasinô V. 441), says the poor girl in the Kuṇâla Jâtaka to the king in reply to his question whose daughter she is.