Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c12.63

c12.63

What is known indirectly about artisans from archaeological evidence is supported and supplemented by epigraphic and literary records. Manu’s view that śūdras should take to the occupations of artisans only if they fail to secure livelihood through direct service of the upper varṇas¹ is traditional, for post-Maurya inscriptions suggest considerable increase in the number and variety of artisans and also some improvement in their conditions. We have a large number of recorded gifts of caves, pillars, tablets, cisterns etc. to the Buddhist monks by smiths, perfumers, weavers, goldsmiths and even leather workers in Gaya, Sanchi, Bharhut and the Nasik area.² Besides these, dyers, workers in metal and ivory, jewellers, sculptors and fishermen figure as donors in inscriptions.³ Perfumers, and to a lesser degree, smiths are repeatedly mentioned as liberal votaries, and therefore seem to have formed the well-to-do and perhaps numerous sections of artisans. Although weavers do not appear as donors as often as perfumers, the evidence from Manu suggests that they were an important class of artisans; for it is laid down that they should pay 11 palas, and in the case of failure 12 palas.⁴ These apparently were taxes in kind levied on the produce of the weavers, who probably owed their affluence to trade in textiles produced in Mathurā¹ and other cities. Most of the artisans known from inscriptions were confined to the Mathurā region, and to the western Deccan where their prosperity was stimulated by the growing trade with Rome