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ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
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Caravan Trade-Although mention of the words like rājamagga (royal roads), duga (junction of two roads), tiga (junction of three roads ), caukka (junction of four roads ), caccara (crossroads), singhadagatthaņa ( traingular roads ) etc. will suggest the existence of regular roads, yet the journey through land ( thala ) was fraught with innumerable difficulties (vyāghata).2 Among these the existence of dense forests inhabited by wild tribes and wild animals, the organised bands of robbers and thieves (bodhita, cora), the impassable condition of roads because of heavy rains or floods, and above all the fear of seige (rohaga) or political upheaval (rajjakkhobha) in the state where the traders aspired to reach for trade were the main difficulties faced by the traders. 8 To counteract these difficulties the merchants, while embarking on large enterprises, organised themselves into corporate bodies or caravans ( sattha ) under the guidance of a caravan-leader called satthavaha, satthapati or satthadhiva. Satthavaha is mentioned as a senior stateofficer who led the caravan with the permission of the king or state. It is possible that the state would have made proper arrangements for the safety and security of the caravan.
Sometimes there were two caravan-leaders in one caravan; each of them shared equal responsibility. In such circumstances the travellers and the Jaina monks travelling with the caravan were enjoined to take permission of both the caravan-leaders. Some junior officers (ahappadhana-purisa)e were also appointed 1. NC. 3, pp. 498, 502. 2. NO. 1, p. 111. Taking into consideration these various factors I-Tsing
remarks that it is important to go in a company of several men and
never to proceed alone, 3. NC. 4, p. 111. Medhātithi also speaks of political upheavals and distur
bances (rästropaplava) among other causes which force the merchants from proceeding on journey for trade ( Medhātithi on Manusmrti, VIII. 156). In the Bhavisayattakahā also we find a mother dissuading
her son from going out with a caravan for fear of war. 4. NC. 2, p. 469; Anu. Cu., p. 11; Brh. V;. 5, p. 1040; Amarakosa, 3. 9. 7-8. 5. 5774 at Fateat cu atslā sporujalaNC. 4, p. 114. 6.5 376 41 great à fè spojuuāla-Ibid.
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