Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c9.t22.22

c9.t22.22

Like slave-boys, slave-girls also were employed in domestic service. The Uttarādhyayana commentary refers to a festival of the female slaves (dāsīmaha).¹⁵ The Jain texts mention a number of female slaves who were brought from foreign countries. They put on the garb of their countries, and were skilful, accomplished and well-trained. They were hunch-backed women (khujja), kirāta women (cilāya), dwarf women (vāmana), misshapen women (vaḍabhī), women of Babbara, Bausa, Joṇiya, Palhava, Isinaya, Dhorukiṇa, Lāsīya, Lakusika, Draviḍa, Simhala, Araba, Pulinda, Pakkaṇa, Murunda, Sabara, and of Persian race (Pārasa).¹⁶ Female slaves also were given away by way of gifts.¹⁷