Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 321

296
Dyeing Industry
It is learnt from the BhS that the dyeing industry was fully developed during its period, as it is evidenced by the fact of the process of dyeing cloth and the mention of three kinds of colour, viz. mineral colour (dhaturatta red ochre)', organic (mamjittha Indian Madder), and prepared colour (khamjanaragaratta collyrium).
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
The term 'Raga' denotes both colour and dye-stuff. So the cloth dyed in red ochre was called 'dhaturattavattha' (dhaturakta vastra), while one coloured in collyrium was known as khamjanaragaratta.
The reference to 'Lakkhāvāṇijja' (Lac trade) in this canonical work clearly shows that Laksa (lac) was another dye-product of this industry.
Tailoring
The references to various kinds of dresses, as already mentioned in the seventh section of the fourth chapter on 'Social conditions', clearly show the development of the tailoring profession by which a section of the society as known to the BhS used to earn their livelihood.
[Ch. V
The existence and continuation of the art of tailoring are further supported by the fact that even the female attendants and waiting maids belonging to different Indian tribes and foreign countries were dressed in their respective national
costumes.
"Sadesanevatthagahiyavesahim".
Mining and Metallurgy
The references in the text to trade in various metals, such as, gold, silver, bell-metal, gem, jewels, pearls, etc., many kinds of ornaments, utensils and weapons used by the people of its society clearly show a highly developed industry of mining and metallurgy of its period. It was one of the most essential parts of the economic structure based on the co-ordinated foundation
1 Bhs, 2, 1, 90. 8 Ib, 6, 1, 229,
2 Ib, 8, 6, 334. 4 Ib, 9, 33, 380.