Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c21.7

c21.7

4 There was caste system and society was divided into Ksatriyas Brāhmanas, Vaisyas and Sūdras A Sūdra had the most degraded position in the society The family was the primary cell of social organism There was the joint family system, and the head of the family was respected most The position of women cannot be described as satisfactory, although the Jain prophets allowed them equality with men and permitted them to attain Nirvāna Arts and sciences were manifold and people acquired efficiency in fine arts such as music painting and sculpture The secular sciences such as mathematics astronomy and astrology and the science of archery and architecture flourished. There were religious mendicants belonging to various orders who played an important part in moulding the material as well as the spiritual life of the people People believed in magic and a variety of superstitions. There were sports and amusements and various ceremonies held by the common-folk, funeral rites were observed with pomp