Local Government in Ancient India c9.47

c9.47

Thus all the evidence shows that at the times to which it relates the division of castes was not quite rigid and was no bar to the free mobility of labour, both vertical and horizontal. Social divisions and economic occupations were very far from coinciding. There was, of course, plenty of pride of birth (which discouraged interdining and intermarrying between certain ranks) and sons, especially among artisans, tended to follow the paternal industry. Thus individuals and also families are often referred to in terms of their traditional calling (*M. Par.*