Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c9.t22.10

c9.t22.10

Slavery was so common that not only kings⁵ and wealthy people but even others kept slaves in their families. The slaves are mentioned along with land (khetta), dwelling place (vatthu), gold (hiraṇṇa) and cattle (pasu) as the means of pleasure.⁶ Dāsa and dāsī are also included among ten kinds of external possessions.⁷ Six classes⁸ of slaves are specifically mentioned: those who were slaves from their birth (gabbha), those who were bought (kiya), those who could not pay their debts (anaya),⁹ those who were made slaves during famine (dubbhikkha),¹⁰ those who could not pay the fine (sāvarāha), and those who were taken prisoners (ruddha).¹¹