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CHANDRAGUPTA
263
London from the Tower to the Houses of Parliament, and from the river to the Hampstead Hills, would occupy about the same space. But, as we have seen, the native records confirm the impression that then, as now, Indian towns tended to cover a vast extent. And we may probably accept the estimate made by Megasthenes of the size of the city wherein he dwelt.
The statement about slavery is odd. The distinct and unanimous testimony of all the Indian evidence is decisive that the status of slavery was then an actual factor of Indian life, though not a very important one. When the Greek writer states, so emphatically, the contrary, one can only say that he is mistaken in the main fact, and that his evidence only shows how very little the sort of slavery then existing in India would strike a foreigner accustomed to the sort of slavery then existing in Greece.
Then Megasthenes says that the population of India was divided into seven classes as follows:
1. Philosophers. 2. Husbandmen. 3. Herdsmen. 4. Artisans. 5. Soldiers. 6. Spies. 7. Councillors.
“No one is allowed to marry out of his own class, or to exercise any calling or art except his own. A
Strabo, xv. 49, has in place of this last clause," or to exchange one profession for another, or to follow more than one business. An exception is made in favour of the philosopher, who for his virtue is allowed this privilege."
Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com
