Indian Antiquary Vol 60

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 132

110
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[JUNE, 1931
The following features of the janapada throw some light on the date of the Artha-8dstra
(1) Kautalya lays down that "the interior of the kingdom shall be watched by Vagurika, Sabara, Pulinda, Candala and Aranya-cara " (wild tribes).
In interpreting this passage it appears to me that wild tribes have been confounded with persons armed with some sort of traps, whereas the object of Kautalya appears to have been to utilize the local wild tribes for purposes of defence. When trusted, the wild tribes are extraordinarily faithful. They will not budge from the place where they are stationed, and will risk their lives in the performance of the duty assigned them. That is the reason why in some States such men are still appointed as treasury guards. It is plain from the instruction of Kautalya that one of the wild tribes near the capital were the V&gurika, now represented by the Bagri tribe, also known as Baoria or Badhak. The editor of the Tribes and Castes of the C. P. states that their origin is obscure, but they seem to have belonged to Gujarât, as their peculiar dialect still in use is impregnated with Gujarati. They are still found in considerable numbers in Gujarat and Central India. 1
According to Ptolemy the Pulindai or Pulindas used to live to the north of Avanti (modern Ujjain), which according to his map and that of Lassen was surrounded on the west by Surâstra, Kaccha, Maharaştra and Konkana, on the south by the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, on the east and south-east by Mahakosala and Gondiana and on the north by Rajpûtana. The well known Savaras, who are mentioned in Vedic literature, lived in juxtaposition to the Pulindas, and the Candalas are now represented by out-caste tribes. An of these were aranyacara or forest-dwellers, who occupied the forests on all sides of Avanti.
(2) The second feature of Kautalya's Janapada is that it was situated somewhere near a seacoast abounding in ports. In the chapter dealing with the ndvadhyakra (superintendent of ships) we read as follows:
"The superintendent of ships shall examine the accounts relating to navigation, not only on oceans and mouths of rivers, but also on lakes, natural or artificial, and rivers in the vicinity of sthaniya and fortified cities. Villages on seashores or on the banks of rivers and lakes shall pay a fixed amount of tax (klrptam)—Merchants shall pay the customary toll levied in port towns-Those (-?) fishing out conch shells and pearls shall pay the requisite amount of hire (naukáháțakam) or they may make use of their own boats-The superintendent of ships shall strictly observe the customs prevalent in commercial towns (patana, 'port town'). Whenever a weather-beaten ship arrives at a port town he shall show fatherly kindness to it.
- Ships that touch at harbours on their way may be requested the payment of toll. Pirate ships (himarika), vessels which are bound for the country of an enemy as well as those which have violated the customs and rules in force in port towns shall be destroyed.”
The words and passages which I have italicized above point to a country abounding in (1) seaports, (2) ships sailing for pearl fishery and (3) pirate vessels. The section dealing with ulka-vyavahara (regulation of toll-dues) discloses that conch shells, diamonds, precious stones, pearls and coral were important items of import.
At the time of famine, the king was advised to remove himself with his subjects to the seashore or to the banks of rivers or lakes (samudra-saras-tatakáni vá samirayeta.. During drought or epidemic the worship of the sea (vargdvagrahe-mahakaccha-pajah-karayet.... Tena marko vyakhyatak. Tirthâbhişecanam mahakacca-vardhanam karayet) was considered efficacious and was entrusted to hermits who had committed an offence (mahakacchavardhandni rajñaścareyuh).
2. Kautalya's king and his dominions. The section treating of the duties of the sitadhyakpa is very important, as it deals with the management of crown lands. Sitadyaksa, according to Meyer, p. 177, means “ Der Aufseher über die königlichen Ackerländerein," i.e., the officer in charge of the crown lands
1 Russell, Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces, ii, 49-69. 3 Shamasastry's English translation, pp. 139.40. The italics are mine. E.T., p. 124. 4 K. S., p. 208.
. Ibid., p. 191.
5 Ibid.