Changes

=== Economic Life ===

=== Economic Life ===

As there was great progress in the departments of human knowledge during the sutra period, the scope of their economic activities had extended beyond agriculture and cattle rearing. In these texts we find expansion of the cultural and economic scopes leading to new occupations and branching out into new spheres of life. A few points of importance regarding the various aspects of economic life are summarized below.

As there was great progress in the departments of human knowledge during the sutra period, the scope of their economic activities had extended beyond agriculture and cattle rearing. In these texts we find expansion of the cultural and economic scopes leading to new occupations and branching out into new spheres of life. The services of teachers, administrators, physicians, singers, dancers, fishermen, hunters, barbers, washermen, cattle herdsmen, astrologers, messengers, medicants, butchers, boatmen, and distillers are alluded to in these texts. A few points of importance regarding the various aspects of economic life are summarized below.

==== Occupations ====

==== Occupations ====

==== Handicrafts ====

==== Handicrafts ====

Several handicrafts, such as pottery, carpentry, metal-work, jewellery, weaving, leather-work, and glass-work were common in the sutra period, practiced on cottage industry basis. Carpenters, the indispensable artisans for society, made ploughs, carts, household furniture and chariots. Chariot making was extremely important and such skilled persons were highly distinguished forming a separate class of people from carpenters. Jewellery and ornament making was highly developed in the sutra period. To work for the raja one day a month without wages was the usual form of tax which the handicraftsmen were required to pay to the State.   

Several handicrafts, such as pottery, carpentry, metal-work, jewellery, weaving, leather-work, and glass-work were common in the sutra period, practiced on cottage industry basis. Carpenters, the indispensable artisans for society, made ploughs, carts, household furniture and chariots. Chariot making was extremely important and such skilled persons were highly distinguished forming a separate class of people from carpenters. Jewellery and ornament making was highly developed in the sutra period. We find many references to workers in stone, needlework, ropemaking, and basketmaking in the sutra texts. To work for the raja one day a month without wages was the usual form of tax which the handicraftsmen were required to pay to the State.   

* Baudh SS 15.14 mentions that potters were invited and instructed by the Maharaja to manufacture bricks, big and small cooking vessels required for the performance of Ashvamedha yajna.  

* Baudh SS 15.14 mentions that potters were invited and instructed by the Maharaja to manufacture bricks, big and small cooking vessels required for the performance of Ashvamedha yajna.  

* Baudh SS 15. 13-14 mentions chariot-makers as distinct from carpenters and lays down that carpenters are instructed to make yupas for the yajnas (long posts to tie the animals), wooden vessels (used during the yajnas), carts, seating places, etc and that chariot-makers are instructed to manufacture chariots only.  

* Baudh SS 15. 13-14 mentions chariot-makers as distinct from carpenters and lays down that carpenters are instructed to make yupas for the yajnas (long posts to tie the animals), wooden vessels (used during the yajnas), carts, seating places, etc and that chariot-makers are instructed to manufacture chariots only.  

* Baudh SS 15.13 mentions about blacksmiths and goldsmiths separately. Goldsmiths generally make ornaments of gold and silver, while blacksmiths manufactured articles of iron, copper, and bell-metal. Manufacture of war weapons, tools for agriculture, carpentry apart from household requirements were prepared by blacksmiths. Gobhil GS mentions a vessal made of bell-metal and the Asv GS mentions vessels made of copper, metal, stone and clay. (19th reference).  

* Baudh SS 15.13 mentions about blacksmiths and goldsmiths separately. Goldsmiths generally make ornaments of gold and silver, while blacksmiths manufactured articles of iron, copper, and bell-metal. Manufacture of war weapons, tools for agriculture, carpentry apart from household requirements were prepared by blacksmiths. Gobhil GS mentions a vessal made of bell-metal and the Asv GS mentions vessels made of copper, metal, stone and clay. (19th reference).  

* The use of mirror is frequently prescribed in the Sutras. A mirror is presented to the bride at the time of marriage and was also used during performance of tonsure and Simantonnayana. Ornaments of glass are also mentioned in Srautasutras.  

* The use of mirror is frequently prescribed in the Sutras. A mirror is presented to the bride at the time of marriage and was also used during performance of tonsure and Simantonnayana. Ornaments of glass are also mentioned in Srautasutras.  

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