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CHAPTER VIII
ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
The period of Lord Mahāvīra was epoch-making in economic history because of the numerous important changes that occurred in it. States well organised came into existence for the first time, leading to the establishment of peace and order. As a result, this period witnessed an allround development of agriculture, industry and trade. The increased use of iron for different purposes resulted in the surplus of wealth and prosperity. Many new arts and crafts came into existence, and they became localised and hereditary. Both trade and industries were organized into guilds. The coined money was introduced, which facilitated trade and commerce. The merchants became very prosperous and a number of cities and towns came into existence. Population increased by leaps and bounds on account of better means of subsistence and living condition. RURAL ECONOMY
(i) Village
Rural economy had its centre in the grāma or village, a collection of gộihas (houses) and kulas (families) numbering from 30 to 1000. It was closed by a wall or stockade provided with gates.1 Beyond this enclosure lay the arable land of the village, the grāma-kshetra, which was protected by fences and field watchmend against pests like birds and beasts. This land was divided into separate holdings cut off from one another by ditches dug for co-operative irrigation.4 Usually thesc holdings were small enough to be cultivated by their owners and families with the help of hired labour, if necessary.5
1. Jā, 1, 239; II, 76, 135; III 9; IV, 370. 2. Ibid, I, 215. 3. Ibid, II, 110; IV, 277. 4. Dhp, Ver. 80–145=Theragi, 19; Jā, V, 167; 1. 338; V. 412. 5. Jā, I, 277; III, 162; III, 107.
