Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 347

322
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA
[Ch. V Bihar according to the evidences of Paumacariu of Sayambhu)', to Puşkalavati (Peshawar), to the Tamil country in the far south, to the Sabaraland (Andhradesa), Pulindaland (Central province), Isika (or Rsika) region (Deccan), and Lhasiya (Nasika, Western coast of India).
While the oversea routes were connected with Ceylon, Arab and Alexandria as suggested by Weber, the overland ones ran to Sakasthāna, Parthia, Persia and China through Central Asia.
In addition to them, the river routes, e.g. those of the Ganges and the Indus were probably followed by the people for trade and commerce.
The account of the inland, overland and oversea-routes of India as suggested by the BhS is also corroborated by those of the other Jaina texts, Buddhist works, the Greek classical records and the Chinese sources.
Transport
The text gives a list of transports used by the people of its period for the economic, civil and military purposes.
The caravan of the merchants formed of many small twowheeled carts loaded with various kinds of abundant saleable articles, food, drink, and other provisions for the journey, each drawn by two bullocks was a distinct feature of that time.
For the private civil use a number of means of conveyance finds mention in this canonical work, such as, bullock-cart drawn by a pair of young-strong bullocks having their horns. (and heads) furnished with flowers, bells and cords made of cotton and inlaid with various kinds of gem, jewels. etc., horse-chariots pulled by four horses (caughamtaraha) generally used by the
1 In Paumacariu of Sayambhu-Ch. 21; it is stated that the Barbaras inhabiting the Himalayas infested the kingdom of king Janaka of Mithila along with the Sabaras and Pulindas who lived in the Vindhyas. BhS. 15, 1, 547.
3 b, 9, 33, 380; 12, 2, 442.
4 Ib, 9, 33, 383; 11, 11, 430.