Introduction
Craft production played a vital role in the economic and cultural life of early India. Skilled artisans were responsible for producing goods like pottery, textiles, metal tools, ornaments, and sculptures. This post discusses how craft production was organized in early India and the roles of guilds, families, and state institutions in its functioning.
Artisan Communities
- Craft production was carried out by specific social groups or castes like weavers (tantuvayas), potters (kumhars), and metalworkers (lohar).
- Skills were passed down through generations within families.
- Each craft group lived in its own part of the village or town and had its own internal organization.
Craft Guilds (Shrenis)
- Guilds or Shrenis were powerful organizations of artisans and merchants.
- They managed the quality of products, set prices, trained apprentices, and provided financial support to members.
- Guilds had their own rules and could even lend money or donate to temples.
Role of the State
- The state supported craft production by giving grants, providing raw materials, and collecting taxes.
- In urban centers, kings and nobles were major patrons of crafts.
- Temples also played a key role by commissioning works of art, sculpture, and textiles.
Market and Trade
- Crafts were sold in local bazaars and also traded over long distances.
- Some goods like beads, metalwork, and textiles were exported to Southeast Asia and the Roman Empire.
Conclusion
Craft production in early India was highly organized through guilds, families, and patronage systems. It not only supported the economy but also contributed to India’s cultural heritage. The efficient organization of crafts made Indian goods popular both locally and abroad.