Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 6

Author(s): L C Jain
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 248

The Vanik and the Vanijja in Early Ancient India
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judicious and just administration of Bhisma led to the emergence of thickly populated cities and towns where merchants (Vaniks) and artisans used to reside. The Arthaí astra also says that the Vaniks lived in town and village.
The Setthi, Sarthavaha, 8 big merchants like Anathapindika, the hawkers and tradersgoing from village to village were also called Vanik. The Jataka stories suggest that every village had its own resident traders (l'aniks). The hawkers and the traders going from village to village were also called Vanik.? The Serivanija Jatakas informs us that a trader (Vanik) in the city of Anuradhapura used to sell pots and pans by crying out the names of his commodity. The same source refers to a trader (Vanik) carrying goods on the asses, or on the cart.10
T'he traders eagaged in joint stock trade were also called Vaniks. The Kutvanij Jataka refers to the two traders (Vaniks) of Varana conducted trade on the principle of joint stock.11 The two traders (Vaniks) of Sravasti also conducted the business on joint stock. 12 The Baveru and the Mahavanija Jatakas also refer to the traders (Vaniks) jointly engaged in trade.18 The Jataka literature also refers to Sravasti
1. Ibid., 108.4; Prasad, P. C., Foreign Trade and Commerce in
Ancient India, p. 26. 2. Arthaśāstra, 1.3.4.6; 11.4.11; 11.4.9. 3. Mbh., 3.61.124; 3.62.3; Bhattacharya, S. C., op. cit., p. 140. 4. Jat., 22.546; 2.238; 12.467; Kullavagga, 1.1.1; 3.1.2. 5. Ibid., 1.111. 6. Davids, Mrs. Rhys, See JRAS, 1901, p. 874. 7. Jat., II. 109; Vanijo gadrabhabharakena voharam karonto vicarati;
Jat II. 184. 8. Ibid., 2.109. 9. Ibid., 1.205. 10. Ibid., 1.404. 11. Ibid. 12. Ibid., 2.30. 13. Ibid., 3.126.