Essay name: Bhasa (critical and historical study)
Author: A. D. Pusalker
This book studies Bhasa, the author of thirteen plays ascribed found in the Trivandrum Sanskrit Series. These works largely adhere to the rules of traditional Indian theatrics known as Natya-Shastra.
Page 463 of: Bhasa (critical and historical study)
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443
camels were loaded and used for travelling. Asses were
beasts of burden and pulled carts.
Ships were extensively used and were more in vogue
than even at present. Commerce was carried on through
the Ganges by means of boats. Merchant ships used to
go to such distant places as Ceylon, Java and Babylon.
The Arthas盲stra speaks in detail with reference to
different kinds of roads and enjoins that roads must
constantly be kept in repair. Trees were planted along
roads and water supply was kept at different stages in the
journey. The chariot was the principal vehicle, of which
there were seven different sizes and six varieties. Devaratha
was the chariot for idols; pu峁aratha was the festal chariot
and p膩riy膩nika was ordinarily used for travelling. There
were also a number of minor vehicles known as laghuy膩na
(small cart), golinga (cart drawn by bulls) and 艣aka峁璦
(big cart). These chariots, carts and other vehicles were
usually drawn by camels, bulls or horses. 艢ibik膩 and
pi峁環ik膩 were varieties of palanquins and they appear to
have been ordinarily used by females. Navigation was in
an advanced stage of development and was under the
control of efficient officers. Water routes consisted of
various classes such as ordinary river routes, canal routes,
coastal routes and ocean routes. Ships and boats of
different shapes were built to answer the requirements of
inland and oceanic travel. Sea-going ships were called
s膩my膩t墨rn膩va岣� and pravahanas, the latter term being
used also to denote Then there were boats
for
pearl fishing, river boats, royal barges, ferry boats, private
ships, small boats and many other devices for water-
carriage prepared from bamboos, baskets, leather, etc.
Mariots.
I
2 In our plays, we find mention of elephants, chariots
drawn by horses and donkeys, bulls and carriages of
different types as the means of conveyance. Donkeys were
also used as beasts of burden. They gradually lost public.
favour and, as has rightly been observed by Dr. Smith,
are now looked upon with contempt and restricted to
the humblest services as beasts of burden for potters and
washermen Their use for drawing chariots in common
1 For this paragraph, cf. in general, Law's Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity,
pp. 68-87.
2 Cf. Car, p. 70; Part, p. 32-1faquy魔a acida 1 3 EHI 4th
Edition, p. 141.
