ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR CRAFTS
We also have archaeological evidence for crafts. These include extremely fine pottery, known as the Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW). It gets its name from the fact that it is generally found in the northern part of the subcontinent.
Remember that the archaeological evidence for many crafts may not have survived. We know from texts that the manufacture of cloth was important. There were famous centers such as Varanasi in the north and Madurai in the south. Both men and women worked in these centers.
Many craftspersons and merchants now formed associations known as shrenis. These shrenis of crafts persons provided training, procured raw material, and distributed the finished product.
Then shrenis of merchants organised the trade. Shrenis also served as banks, where rich men and women deposited money. This was invested, and part of the interest was returned or used to support religious institutions such as monasteries.
More to know about Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)
NBPW is a hard, wheel-made, metallic-looking ware with a shiny black surface. The potter used to expose the earthenware to very high temperatures in his kiln which resulted in the blackening of its outer surface. A fine black slip was also applied to this, which gave the pottery a mirror-like shine.
Activity:
If you have seen craftspersons at work, describe in a short paragraph what they do. (Hint: how do they get the raw materials, what kind of equipment do they use, how do they work, what happens to the finished product).
Source: This topic is taken from NCERT TEXTBOOK.
RULES FOR SPINNING AND WEAVING
These rules are from the Arthashastra, mentioned in Chapter 7(ASHOKA, THE EMPEROR WHO GAVE UP WAR). They describe how spinning and weaving could be done in workshops under the supervision of a special official.
“Widows, young women who are differently-abled, nuns, mothers of courtesans, retired women servants of the king, women who have retired from service in temples, may be used for processing wool, bark, cotton, hemp, and flax.
They should be paid according to the quality and quantity of work. Women who are not permitted to leave their homes can send maidservants to bring the raw material from the superintendent and take the finished work back to him.
Women who can visit the workshop should go at dawn to give their work and receive their wages. There should be enough light to examine the work. In case the superintendent looks at the woman or talks about anything other than the work, he should be punished.
If a woman does not complete her work, she will have to pay a fine, and her thumbs can be cut off.”
Activity:
1. Make a list of all the women who could be employed by the superintendent.
2. Do you think women would have faced any problems while working?
Source: This topic is taken from NCERT TEXTBOOK.