Question

The persons of the same occupation were organised and were called
A. Shreni
B. Gana
C. Jana
D. Grama

Answer 1

Hint: In ancient India, the people who were associated with the same occupation were organised into groups.

Complete answer: The people who carried out the same occupation were put into the same group. These groups were called Shrenis. These were associations of traders, merchants, artisans, weavers, gardeners, carpenters, thieves and many others. Shrenis have been correlated with guilds. Fishermen and hunters did not form any guild. Documents suggest that around the 5th century BC Shrenis were discovered. There have been references to a whole Shreni turning into Buddhism or Jainism. With the passage of time, some Shrenis became very wealthy with surplus resources.
One example of a very popular shreni is the ivory carvers of Vidisha, which is in present-day Madhya Pradesh. This Shreni has been recognised for contributing to the construction of the Sanchi stupa. The Sanchi Stupa is presently a World heritage site. The Shrenis has been said to have their own trade secrets and heritage towards the protection of Shrenis. The Shrenis were passed from the fathers to their sons and this continued for generations. Shreni members had to follow the specific dharma of their Shrenis. Daughters were not allowed to be a part of Shrenis because they were prone to disclose the trade secrets of her father’s shreni to her husband.
Option A is the correct answer.

Note: The Buddhist Jataka tales mention the presence of Shrenis. There are also accounts of an individual changing their Shrenis. Members of the same family also belonged to different Shrenis.