History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c37.s1.t3.1

v1.c37.s1.t3.1

A leather sandal took the main role in life according to Kauṭilya 4th century B.C. and therein he says ‘Smearing sandals made of camel hide with the fat of the owl Fig.2. Ancient leathercraft for defence use a) Armour for horse arment b) Armour gauntlet for the right hand and forearm c) Egyptian war chariot d) & (e) Leather shield and the vulture, covering them with leaves of the banyan tree, one walks fifty yojanas without being fatigued’. We know, at present, that it is very comfortable to walk a long distance with shoes instead of bare footed. According to the Hindu caste system, cāmār is the tanner and mocī, the shoe maker. Manu Smriti (first century B.C.) mentions that a pair of leather sandals was a suitable gift for a guru. In the ‘Mitra records’ Toy Cart of Sudraka (first century B.C.) a lady with muslin attire with a pair of leather slippers showing that in ancient time as, at present, woman of the town were in the habit of wearing shoes. The Visnu Purana recommends the use of shoes when walking out of the house, particularly in thorny place and on hot sand. The sun god presented a pair of chappals and umbrella to Jamadagni for protection against the hot sun.