Story of Nation Buddhist India

SR No.: 035274
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: T W Rhys Davids
Publisher: T Fisher Unwin Ltd
Publication Year: 1916
Total Pages: 356
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 88 MB

Page 286

CHANDRAGUPTA
265
struct roads, and at every ten stadia set up a pillar to show the byroads and distances.'
“ Those who have charge of the city are divided into six bodies of five each. The members of the first look after everything related to the industrial arts.
“Those of the second look after the entertainment of foreigners. To these they assign lodgings; and they keep watch over their modes of life by means of those persons whom they give to them as servants. They escort them on the way when they leave the country; or, in the event of their dying, they forward their property to their relatives. They take care of them when they are sick, and, if they die, bury them.
“The third body consists of those who inquire when and how births and deaths occur, with a view not only of levying a tax, but also in order that births and deaths among high and low may not escape the cognisance of Government.
“The fourth class superintends trade and commerce. Its members have charge of weights and measures, and see that the products, in their season, are sold by public notice. No one is allowed to deal in more than one kind of commodity unless he pays a double tax.
“The Sfth class supervises manufactured articles, which they sell by public notice. What is new is sold separately from what is old; there is a fine for mixing the two together.
“The sixth and last class consists of those who col
"Ten stadia is 2022} yards. This is, within a few yards, the sixth part of a yojana, the common Indian measure of length at that time.
? This is very obscure. The words seem to imply either that sale was usually not by private barter, but by auction, or that sales took place through advertisement. Neither of these statements would be correct. See Chapter VI. on economic conditions.