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242 INDIA AS DESCRIBEN IN EARLY TEXTS supply of drinking water at suitable places for the thirsty, travellers and beasts, opening of charity halls, supply of medicinal roots, fruits, leaves and herbs, maintenance of public granaries and storehouses as provisions against famine and starvation, etc. The voice was raised against the servitude of men and women, the slave-trade was prohibited among the followers and the manumission of slaves was encouraged. The religious orders of the Samaņas admitted even the slaves and Suddas into their fold and proved that given a chance, a barber like Upāli could occupy a foremost rank among the elect
The door of higher religious life was also kept open to the women of all social grades and ranks, nay, even to the fallen women, some of who“; made their mark in history by their changed life.
By preaching the doctrine of Ahimsā, the religions brought about a change in the art of cooking and items of food. They persistently . sought to create a social order based on cordiality, fellow-feeling and love. The vi. gorous religious propaganda carried on during the period went to mitigate and humanise the most rigorous and barbarous laws 1. The religions served to improve the moral tone and taste of society. The Buddhist Vinaya con
| 1 Majong, 1 p. 87.
