Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c14.s3: Rules of Apprenticeship in Craft-guilds
Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c14.s3
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Rules of Apprenticeship in Craft-guilds
c14.s3.1
Nârada and Yâjñavalkya laid down some interesting rules of apprenticeship and work. Nârada treats them as part of the law on Breach of Contract of service and thus seeks to invest them with legal force. An apprentice shares the condition of dependence with students, hired servants and officials—all alike being looked upon as labourers. A young man who, with the consent of his relations wanted initiation into the art of his craft, should go to live with a master for a fixed term. The master should treat him like a son, feed him and teach him at his own house and refrain from employing him in any other work. An apprentice, who forsakes a master of unexceptionable character, may be compelled by force to return, and may be corporally punished and confined. He must remain with his master until the expiry of his term, even if he completes his course of instruction beforehand.
c14.s3.2
The master is remunerated for his labours in two ways. The profits from the apprentice's work belong to him. On the completion of the term, the apprentice "shall reward his master as plentifully as he can," or pay him a stipulated fee. Yâjñavalkya endorses these rules but condones an apprentice's desertion of his master if it is a protest against a mortal sin or heavy crime on the part of the latter.¹
c14.s3.3
¹ Nârada, V, 16—21, Yâjñavalkya Samhitâ, II, 187.
c14.s3.4
It is remarkable that guilds occupy a much larger space in the early than in the late Dharma Śâstras. Hopkins remarks that guild life is a characteristic of Buddhist and Jaina environment.² Another reason may be the comparative
c14.s3.5
² Hopkins, India, Old and New, p. 171.
Linked texts (2)
- Yājñavalkyasmṛti — Yājñavalkya, Sanskrit
- Nāradasmṛti — Nārada, Sanskrit