Mrichchhakatika
Also called: Little clay cart · Topic: Gupta Empire and the Classical Age · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 3 "Kinship, Caste and Class - Early Societies"
Meaning
Mrichchhakatika ("The Little Clay Cart") is a Sanskrit play credited to Shudraka, of about the 4th century CE. It is set in the city of Ujjayini. Unlike many plays about kings and gods, it shows ordinary city life, including merchants, gamblers, thieves and courtesans. Historians use it to see how real society could differ from the strict rules of the varna (social order) system.
Example
The hero, Charudatta, is described as a Brahmana and also as a sarthavaha, a merchant or caravan trader. By the rules of the varna system, Brahmanas were not supposed to trade. So the play shows a gap between rules and real life.
Don't confuse with
- Abhijnanashakuntalam: Kalidasa's play about a king and court life. Mrichchhakatika is about middle-class city life and is by Shudraka.
Related concepts
- Aryabhata
- Aryabhatiya
- Hindu-Arabic numerals
- Bakhshali manuscript
- Surya Siddhanta
- Varahamihira
- Bhaskara I
- Virahanka
- Kalidasa
- Abhijnanashakuntalam