Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
[Ch. V
So it is presumable that there was a regular system of roads and communications for the transport and despatch of soldiers and military convoys.
An account of the country roads is found in the itinerary of Lord Mahāvīra1 and those of the other monks', parivrājakas3, and the common people who made journeys on foot to the different parts of India, particularly North India by crossing village after village to reach their respective destinations.
The merchants' went abroad to carry on the inland trade outside their city, having taken their merchandise and the other provisions for the journey, loaded in many bullock-carts, struggling with their caravans through the villages and forests to reach the centre of trade.
Moreover, the commodities, like fine cloths, curtains precious metals etc., had to be imported to and exported from the different business places through some routes.
Thus it is clear that the different parts of the country were well connected by roads with one another.
This fact is further supported by the reference to the presence of female attendants belonging to the different Indian tribes and foreign countries as already mentioned in the third section of the fourth chapter on 'Social conditions', viz. Kirātikā, Barbarika, Isiganika, Palhavika, Lhasika, Lausiya, Arabi Draviḍi, Singhali, Pulindi, Murundi (Saka-country), Puşkali, Sabari and Parasi (Parasa = Persia)*
The reference to the statement crossing the Ganges or a great sea by hands against the current of its water used as an analogy to explain the difficulties of observing the Nirgranthavow and the employment of the waiting maids belonging to ancient Ceylon and Arab, clearly suggests that the Indians were well acquainted with the sea and sea-voyage was common
1 BhS, 13, 6, 491. 4 Ib. 15, 1, 540.
7 Ib, 9, 33, 384.
2 Ib, 15, 1, 541. 5 Ib, 15, 1, 547.
8 Ib, 2, 1, 90-91. 6 Ib, 9, 33, 380.