History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c35.s1.34

v1.c35.s1.34

The cane-seats were used freely and did not remain the monopoly of any particular section of the people. The cane-seats were the most favoured item of furniture during the Sātavahana and the Ikṣvāku periods. Sometimes the cane-seats (munda-seat) were used by princes as prescribed by Bharata in his Nāṭya Śāstra. It is quite probable that the morā might be related to the word munda as both signify identical form and material. These cane-seats which were in profuse use in early period became rare in later period and gave place to rich seats. When these cane seats had backs, they were called Vidālamañcaka or Vetramañcam. The wicker-stands or paṭṭa-kaṇḍolikas of Cullavagga were however rare and at times when these were used as dining tables, they represented Bhojana Phalakas of Buddhagosha.