History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c34.s1.14

v1.c34.s1.14

*Anklets*- Anklets were popularly worn by the ladies of the Sunga and Sātavāhana periods. The most common variety appears to be formed of spiral coils, piled one over the other (Cunningham 1962). The various names, such as Mañjīra Tulākoṭi, Nūpura, Pādangada, Haṃsaka and Pālipada in Sanskrit and Pali languages would suggest a large variety of anklets in ancient India (Sivaramamurti, 1956). However, the popular form of anklets noticed at Bharhut can be identified with the ancient term, Mañjīra, which are supposed to resemble the coiled strings of the churning stick (Sivaramamurti, 1956). Sometimes, the anklets were embedded with small bells, Kinkiṇīs to produce the jingling sound. In the temptation of the Buddha, some of the dancing Apsaras are said to have, “tinkled the bells on their feet” (Cunningham, 1962).