CONTENTS PREFACE vii ABBREVIATIONS xv TRANSLITERATION TABLE xix LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xxi PART 1 1. INTRODUCTION 3 2. STONE WORKERS 9 Architects 9 Architect in the early Medieval Period 11 Qualities of an Architect 15 Mobility of an Architect 16 Works of Architect 17 Guilds of Architects 22 Some Important Architects 23 Sculptors 27 Material Used by the Sculptor 29 Stone Sculptures 31 Terracotta Sculptures 33 Preparation of Clay Sculptures 34 Wooden Sculptures 35 Reputed Sculptors 37 Engravers 41 Material used by the Engravers 42 Purpose Of Engraving 45 Names And The Genealogy Of Engravers 45 Mastery in Engraving 47 Villages of Engravers 49 3. GOLDSMITHS AND METAL WORKERS 51 Goldsmiths 51 Goldsmiths in the Early Medieval Period 53 Material for Ornaments 54 Process of Ornament Making 55 Works of Goldsmiths 56 Ornaments of Kings and Nobles 56 Utensils 57 Engraving 58 Metal Workers 59 Sources of Raw Material for the Metal Workers 61 Industrial Centres 62 Varieties of Metals 62 Process of Melting 64 Iron : Its Utility and Importance 64 Quality of Iron 66 Armoury 67 Swords 68 Blacksmiths in the Village 70 Utensils 70 Copper Workers 71 Metal Sculptors 72 Casting of Images 75 4. WEAVERS 79 The Implements of the Weavers 81 Village Weavers 82 Varieties of Clothes 83 Centres of Textile Industry 87 Export Variety of Clothes 89 Dyers 90 Embroider 92 Tailoring 93 5. MISCELLANEOUS ARTISANS AND CRAFTSMEN 95 Potters 95 Potters' Guilds 97 Houses of the Potters 98 Leather Workers 99 Articles of Leather 101 Export of Leather Articles 103 Wood Workers 104 Wood Workers in the Early Medieval Period 106 Wood Used by Wood Workers 106 Village Carpenters 107 Wood Workers in Cities and Towns 108 Carts and Chariots 108 Boats and Ships 109 Household Objects 111 Houses and Temples 111 Ivory Workers 113 Material for Ivory workers 114 Articles of Ivory 114 Centres of Ivory work 116 The Export Quality of Ivory Products 117 Glass Makers 118 Mirror Makers 120 Makers of Musical Instruments 123 Umbrella Makers 127 Perfume Makers and Cosmetics Makers 129 Oil Makers 134 Salt Makers 136 Others 138 PART TWO 6. TRAINING OF ARTISANS AND CRAFTSMEN 143 Training by Parents 145 Training by Guilds 146 Training by Individual Master Craftsmen 147 Training by Educational Institution 151 Subjects of Study 152 7.GUILDS 159 Guilds in the Early Medieval Period 162 The Organization of Guilds 166 Executive Committee 169 Functions of Guilds 170 Guilds as Banks 170 Guilds as Training Centres 172 Guilds as Agencies of Religious Work 172 Transformation of Guilds into Castes 175 Decline of the Guilds 176 8. SOCIAL STATUS 179 Social Status in the Early Medieval Period : Position in the Varna System 182 The Sudras 182 The Antyajas 183 Adhama and Adhamadhama 184 Untouchability of Artisans and Craftsmen 184 Settlement Patterns of Artisans and Craftsmen 185 Right of Samskaras 187 Religious Endowments 189 Social Status of Some Artisans and Craftsmen 190 Svarnakara 190 Sutradhara 191 Architects 192 Organizations of Artisans and their Social Status 193 Artisans and Craftsmen Aided 194 Impact of the Arab Invasions 194 9. ECONOMIC CONDITIONS 197 Early Medieval Period 198 Organization of Guilds for Economic Benefit 199 Changing of Profession for Economic Benefits 199 Richer Section of Artisans and Craftsmen 201 Paying of Taxes by Artisans and Craftsmen 202 PLATES 207 BIBLIOGRAPHY 231 INDEX 243