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MAY, 1877.]
THE INDIKA OF MEGASTHENES.
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palaces, and settled within its walls a numerous population. The city he fortified with trenches of notable dimensions, which were filled with water introduced from the river. "Herakles, accordingly, after his removal from among men, obtained immortal honour; and his descendants, having reigned for many generations and signalized themselves by great achievements, nei. ther made any expedition beyond the confines of India, nor sent out any colony abroad. * At last, however, after many years had gone, most of the cities adopted the democratic form of government, though soine retained the kingly until she invasion of the country by Alexan- der. "Of several remarkable customs existing among the Indians, there is one prescribed by their ancient philosophers which one may regard as truly admirable : for the law ordains that no one among them shall, under any circumstances, be a slave, but that, enjoying free- dom, they shall respect the equal right to it which all possess : for those, they thought, who have learned neither to domineer over nor to cringe to others will attain the life best adapted for all vicissitades of lot: for it is but fair and reasonable to institute laws which bind all equally, but allow property to be unevenly distributed
(40.) The whole population of India is divided into seven castes, of which the first is formed by the collective body of the Philosophers, which in point of number is inferior to the other classes, but in point of dignity preëminent over all. For the philosophers, being exempted from all public duties, are neither the masters nor the servants of others. They are, however, engaged by private persons to offer the sacrifices due in lifetime, and to celebrate the obsequies of the dead : for they are believed to be most dear to the gods, and to be the most conversant with matters pertaining to Hades. In requital of such services they receive valuable gifts and privileges." To the people of India at large they also render great benefits, when, gathered together at the beginning of the year, they forewarn the assembled multitudes about droughts and wet weather, and also about propitious
winds, and diseases, and other topics capable of profiting the hearers. “Thus the people and the sovereign, learning beforehand what is to happen, always make adequate provision against & coming deficiency, and never fail to prepare beforehand what will help in a time of need. The philosopher who errs in his predictions incurs no other penalty than obloquy, and he then observes silence for the rest of his life.
The second caste consists of the Husbandmen, who appear to be far more numerous than the others. Being, moreover, exempted from fighting and other public services, they devote the whole of their time to tillage ; nor would an enemy coming upon a husband nan at work on his land do him any harm, for men of this class, being regarded as public benefactors, are protected from all injury. The land, thus remaining unravaged, and producing heavy crops, supplies the inhabitants with all that is requisite to make life very enjoyable. * The husbandmen themselves, with their wives and children, live in the country, and entirely avoid going into town." They pay a land-tribute to the king, because all India is the property of the crown, and no private person is permitted to own land. Besides the land-tribute, they pay into the royal treasury a fourth part of the produce of the soil.
"The third caste consists of the Neatherds and Shepherds, and in general of all herdsmen who neither settle in towns nor in villages, but live in tents. By hunting and trapping they clear the country of noxious birds and wild beasts. As they apply themselves eagerly and assiduously to this pursuit, they free India from the pests with which it abounds,-ail sorts of wild beasts, and birds which devour the seeds sown by the husbandmen.
(41.) * The fourth caste consists of the Artizans. Of these soine are armourers, while others make the implements which husbandmen and others find useful in their different callings. This class is not onls exempted from paying taxes, but even receives maintenance from the royal exchequer.
The fifth caste is the Military. It is well
* Conf. Fragm. IV. T ibo opol, Strabo, Diod. Zolotai, Arr.
0.6 Conf. Fragm. xii. in Ind. Ant. vol. V. pp. 91-92, cc. i. and xii.
• reupyol, Strab. Arr. Diod. + Borkódot Kal prospíves kai kadoov Tárres al vouées,
Diou. Thoméves kal Onpeurai, Strab. Iloweves Te kai Bourdos, Arr.
I Shepherds and hunters were not a caste of Hindus, out were probably tribes like the Abbirs or Ahir, Dhan. gars, &e.-ED.
Texvirai. Toplotai, Strab. Arr.
