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SOCIAL LIFE
85
ctable kulas of the Ksatriyas like the Uggakula and Ikkkāgukula have been mentioned.1 The NC. does not say much regarding the caste of the Ksatriyas, but their social status must have remained the same as in the earlier centuries. Vaiśyas or Vaņiks
Next were the Vaisyas (Vaisa)? who have been usually called Vapiks (Vanija, Vaniya) in the NC. Jainism being popular amongst the trading class of the Vaņiks, a graphic account of their activities can be found in the text.* The Vapiks were the skilful traders who embarked on any enterprise only after properly calculating the income and expenditure. They always followed the profitable course. By their experience and pragmatic approach they gained large profits even by investing a very little amount of money. As bankers and money-lenders they controlled the whole economye and also enhanced the material prosperity of the country. Taking into .consideration the multifarious activities of the Vaniks it would not be unjust to remark that although third in the traditional order of the Varnas, the Vaisyas enjoyed the foremost status in day-to-daylife of the period and also raised their social status to a great extent by their religious and philanthropic activities. Sūdras
The lowest strata of society consisted of the Śūdras, ? Cindālas, Śvapākas" and various other despised people. The
1. afTE J
I--NC. 3, p. 413; fotorelage salgai žicom-NC. 3,
p. 29.
2. NO. 3, p. 413; NC. 4, p. 50. 3. See Chapter VI. 4. 311-7-574 TEST AT TEFTITTIETC 572 af 90-NC. 2, p. 341; Brh. Vt.
4, p. 1177. 5. Tur af 1341-3901 afaoi 788 agat apa nugft-NC. 1, p. 153. 6. See Chap. VI. 7. NC 2, p. 119; NC. 3, p. 413. 8. NC. 3, p. 207. 9. NC. 3, p. 132.
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