Pre-Buddhist India: A Political, Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey of Ancient India Based Mainly on the Jataka Stories c5.3

c5.3

“ECONOMICS,” says Marshall, “is a study of mankind in the ordinary business of life; it examines that part of individual and social action which is most closely associated with the attainment and with the use of the material requisites of wellbeing.”¹ With this general but able definition of Economics, we proceed to examine the *Jātaka* evidence on the economic conditions of Ancient India. The fact has come to be recognised on all hands that economic currents are the most active forming agencies of the world’s history. It has become quite clear, as shown by that great thinker, dreamer of a new era, Karl Marx that economic forces have been the main guiding forces behind all prominent repercussions in the world’s history. And this is as much true of the olden days as it is of the present age, which reverberates with momentous economic problems, plans and efforts at solutions all the world over; and if to-day another world war looms large on the horizon, be sure it will be largely due to economic causes and conflicts.