Ancient Indian Education: An Inquiry into its Origin, Development, and Ideals c5.74

c5.74

It was the villages which were the strongholds of the traditionary arts and crafts of India, but many of the craftsmen also lived in towns.² Here those employed in the same occupation were drawn together in trade guilds. Sometimes the craftsmen of a particular trade all belong to one caste, in which case the bonds which unite them are very strong indeed, and no outsider would be admitted. But where the same trade is pursued by men of different castes the guild may bring them together, and, though membership is hereditary, newcomers can be admitted by paying a fee, but no unqualified person is allowed to remain in the guild, or to become a member of it. There are no indentures of apprenticeship, but a boy born in one of the castes learns the particular craft from his father, and eventually takes the place of his father as a member of the guild. The guild raises funds, chiefly by fines, which are spent mostly in charities. The hours of work are regulated, and also the amount to be done, and in old times the guild also controlled the standard of quality both of material and design. The guild is also a kind of mutual assurance society. Each guild is managed by its *mahājans* (i.e. ‘great men’) or *seths*. In large cities the guilds command great influence.