Skilled Communities and Occupational Activities in Ancient Indian Perspective – A Critical Review

Author(s)	Dr. Mohd Talib Siddiqui
Country	India
Abstract	Since time immemorial, starting from 1500 BC. India had abundant mineral resources. The metallic minerals included mainly Iron, Copper, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Tin, lead, etc. Minerals were mostly under state monopoly and were normally operated by hired skilled and unskilled labourers and craftsmen. Classical writers mention mining activities and assert that metallurgy was fully developed in India at that time. Works in metal included blacksmiths (Lohkara), Coppersmiths (Tepukuttaka), goldsmiths (Swarnakaara), workers in lead (Siskara), and workers in Tin (Tipukara). Metal-based industries provided Lohkara-made tools and implements to farmers for cultivation. They also supplied arms and weapons that strengthened the state's military power, along with domestic household utensils in a number of varieties.
Keywords	Blacksmith, cultivation, metallurgy metallic, mining activities and household utensils.
Field	Sociology > Archaeology / History
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 5, September-October 2026
Published On	2026-10-10

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