Shudras in Ancient India: A Social History of the Lower Order down to circa A.D. 600 c12.77

c12.77

An analysis of the lists of these artisans would show that there arose a number of new crafts during this period. As against about two dozen trades in the *Digha Nikāya*⁴ we meet about five dozen trades in the *Milinda-pañha*. Of these eight crafts are associated with metal working,⁵ which shows considerable advance in that field. Occupations connected with cloth making, silk weaving,⁶ making of arms and luxury articles,⁷ also seems to have made progress. All this shows that artisans of this period made a significant contribution to technological and economic developments, although much of this may have been to the benefit of upper classes.