Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c12.106

c12.106

We can obtain some idea about the wages of the workers and the general living conditions of the lower orders during the post-Mauryan period. In one respect, Manu followed the principle of Kauṭilya and states that a hired herdsman may milk with the consent of the owner the best cow out of ten.² In this case Manu seems to be more generous towards the hired labourer then Kauṭilya,³ for he permits the labourer to milk the best cow. The responsibility of the herdsmen for the cattle under their charge is emphasised also by Manu, who enumerates their functions under various circumstances.⁴ But in the case of loss of cattle he does not provide for the flogging of the herdsmen, as is done by Āpastamba, or for his death, as is done by Kauṭilya. Manu introduces a new provision, according to which an area of about 400 cubits in width round the villages, and thrice as much around the towns, are to be set apart as pasture ground. And if the cattle stray into the unfenced plots of anyone in this area and destroy his standing crops, the herdsman cannot be held answerable for this.⁵ Thus to some extent this lawgiver safeguards the interests of the herdsmen.