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Economic Conditions
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Bharukachchha passed through this route up to Māhishmati from where they had to branch off to Bharukachchha.
RĀJAGRIHA-SINDHU REGION ROUTE
This route led westward to Sind, the home of horses and asses, and to Sauvīra and its ports, with its capital called Roruka. Up to Mathurā, this western route was the same as the Rājagrha-Pushkalāvati route, but there it branched off to the Sindhu region. It passed through the desert of Rajasthan.
MEANS OF CONVEYANCE
For inland trade through roads, the chief modes of conveyance were carts drawn by oxen, horse carriages, litters and sedan chairs. The merchant Ananda had five hundred carts for distant traffic and the same number for local use. While the rich rode on elephants, the ordinary people employed camels, horses, and asses. THE CARAVANS
Keeping in view the difficulties inct with by the traveller on these land routes, merchants used to travel in a caravan. After loading their carts and animals with gocds, thcsc merchants started their long journey with their captain called Satthavāha, who gave them directions regarding halts, inns, routes, fords, and danger-spots. The Jatakasl inform us that the caravan had to face five major difficulties and dangers-- robbers, wild beasts, draught, demons, and faminc. The Sattarūhas had to have ample and proper equipment for a safe journey. The journey through the desert was hard as well as interesting. The guide, who led the caravan through the desert, was known as the Thalanijāmaka(descrt pilo:). Equippcd with his knowledge of the stars, lie led the caravan in the right direction. The Ārassalachirni gives an account of luis a caravan suffered in passing through the deseri ducin scarcisy
1. Ja l. 99. 2. Ibid, 107. 3. Ansi, Chi. 17:3; II. 34.
