History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c34.9

v1.c34.9

It was during the rule of the Mauryas that India was, for the first time, brought under one political power. It added not only to the political stability of the country but also to increased resources, economic growth and an all-round prosperity of the people. This fact has very well been brought out by various foreign writers in their respective chronicles. Both Megasthenes and Nearchus speak eloquently about the love of Indians for ornate jewellery. They had appropriate ornaments made of silver, gold, pearls, gems and other precious stones to be worn on every part of the body. The Jātakas mention eighteen important handicrafts, including those of the workers in precious stones and jewellery. Strabo further testifies that the Indians indulge in jewellery (Cunningham, 1962). Although, there is not much archaeological evidence available at the moment to give further details about the concrete forms and character of the Mauryan jewellery, yet it may be inferred that the traditions of the Mauryan jewellery must have continued during the Sunga period also.