Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c11.82

c11.82

We may next examine the Arthaśāstra evidence regarding the employment, control and wages of the artisans in so far as they throw light on the general position of the śūdras. Reference has already been made to the artisans who were mobilised by the state to help agriculture. Many others seem to have been employed by the state in weaving,⁷ mining,⁸ storekeeping,⁹ manufacture of arms,¹⁰ metal work¹¹ etc. In the earlier period artisans such as weavers appear in the employment of the gahapati, but now they are employed in large numbers by the state.¹ The artisans probably owned their tools, but were supplied with raw materials by the state. There is no mention of slaves being engaged in any of these crafts. They also did not work in mining operations, which were conducted by the karmakaras.²