The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c10.97

c10.97

Border troubles. Besides feudalism there was the tendency towards functional organisation. Traders in various articles, skilled workers of various categories, such as mariners (IV, 137); garland-makers (III, 405); caravan traders (I, 368; II, 295), mass-troopers (I, 296-97; II, 388; IV, 430); masons, blacksmiths, carpenters, painters, etc. (III, 387; VI, 427), had organised themselves into guilds. Eighteen was the traditional number of the varieties of guilds. Their representatives were invited to ceremonial functions (IV, 411; VI, 22). Definite quarters were sometimes assigned to guilds in a city (I, 320). The state maintained touch with the guilds. Their leaders are seen attending on the king (II, 12, 52; III, 281). The Bhaṇḍāgārika seems to have acted as a judge for guilds in some cases (IV, 43). Within a guild itself, the position of the Seṭṭhi or alderman seems often to be hereditary (I, 231, 248; III, 475).