[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897) › c17.59 # The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c17.59 The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c17.59 - **Language:** English ### [c17.59](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c17.59) In spite of their low status the slaves occupied in Indian society a different position from that of the despised castes who will occupy our attention in the next chapter. They could not, like the latter, be regarded as impure, because their work brought them constantly into close contact with their master whom they helped to dress and undress and assisted in the care of their body, whose food they prepared and whom they served at dinner. As they lived together with the families to which they belonged, they lacked the local isolation and external combination of the despised castes; they were, in consequence of this, as little a "caste" as the slaves of the Greeks and Romans, in whom we find the same categories and similar relations, so far as conduct and legal position are concerned. Also the Indian slaves resembled those of the ancient classical ages in this, that under certain circumstances they could obtain freedom. We read of such "freed slaves" in the Sona-Nanda Jâtaka; as the rich Brâhmaṇa renounces the world, he disposes of his property and sets his slaves free (dâsajanam bhujissam katvâ V. 313). It is true, according to Manu (VIII. 414), a Sûdra, even when he is set free by his master, is not released from his condition of slavery: "for who can take away that which is in-born in him?" Still the view expressed here is only a consequence of the Brahmanical system which in practice did not have much importance. In reality, a slave set free—proof of this is not, however, to be got from the Jâtakas—probably either served as a day-labourer or adopted some other profession, for which he possessed the means or the skill. - [Previous: c17.58](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c17.58) - [Next: c18.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c18.2) - [Up: c17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c17) ## Linked texts (2) - [Mānava Dharmaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.manu.8.414) — Manu & Bhṛgu, Sanskrit - [Jātaka](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada.sp.khuddaka.jataka) — Pāli --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c17.59](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c17.59) · Pramāṇa