Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.1367

c4.1367

The Āryas were clever in the art of leather work, woodwork and metallurgy. They were well versed in medicine also. In a sūkta of the ninth maṇḍala it is stated that the father of a ṛṣi was a medical practitioner. There are references to many industries also. Weaving was a very important industry at that time. Cotton cloth and woollen blankets were made by them on a large scale. Iron was used by them with great skill. The manufacture of armours and the descriptions about them in Ṛgveda are ample evidence of the proficiency of the Āryas in ironmongery and blacksmithy. Sea voyage was not familiar to them. References to traders cruising in boats in the Sindhu river do not give much importance to the cruising. In food rice and ghee were important. Meat was also relished. Ṛṣis wore animal skins but others wore dhotis and shawls.