Crafts and Industries

Crafts production started growing in this period with tremendous impetus, as trade and commerce, both internal and foreign, was dependent to a great extent on the craft activities. The text called Milindapanho mentions 75 occupations of which 60 were associated with crafts.

The level of specialization was very high and there were separate artisans working in gold, silver, precious stones, etc. Ujjain was a prominent bead making centre.

Textile industry was another prominent industry. Mathura and Vanga (east Bengal) were famous for variety of cotton and silk textiles. The discovery of some dying vats at some sites in south India indicates that dying was a thriving craft in the area during this period.

The artisans in this period touched new heights of prosperity and there are numerous inscriptions which refer to the donations made by artisans to monasteries.