Economics of Kautiliya Shukra and Brihaspati.pmd

fishes in a very small pond or the flocks of birds in a reserved forest.
(ibid, 68.8-10) Not only agriculture but business, education, ritual
offerings all depend on strong political system. (ibid, 68. 23-27)
The Superintendent of Forests with his retinue of forest guards
shall not only maintain the upkeep of the forests, but also acquaint
himself with all passages for entrance into, or exit from such of them
as are mountainous or boggy or contain rivers or lakes. Kautilya can
be said as the propounder of reserve forest because he has suggested
to preserve wild animals. He has managed fines and punishments to
the person who violates the laws and kills the animals.
Conclusion
The system of agriculture, animal farming and forest resource
in ancient times can be summarized as follows-
1. The economy described in these treatises is three sector economy.
The main three pillars of economy were- agriculture, cattle farming,
and commerce.
2. The main source of government revenue were arable land,
economic forest, and animal husbandry.
3. The ownership of land was of three types- Government owned,
farmer owned, and tax free land given to high ranked people of
the country.
4. The government farming was done by the Superintendent of
Agriculture. Services of technicians were taken if necessary.
5. Agriculture labourers were given wages according to their
standard of living.
6. Kautilya has given the concept of economic forest and reserve
forest.
7. The status of farmers was legally high.
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Notes
1 Oo+ t] /f6\ === oGtfl; odgf] w| |jf]˜l; ' j?0fM . s[io} Tjf If]dfo Tjf /o\o} Tjf
kf]iffo Tjf . Shatapath, 5.2, Yaju., 9.2, cited by Panthi, 2008.
2
Agriculture, cattle-rearing, and trade and commerce (are the bases of
economy). Agriculture, cattle culture and commerce and trade comprise
the (science of) varta. (Success in that leads through Exchequer and
Army to the control of one’s own state as well as one’s enemies.)
Brihaspati-sutra, 1929, 2.4
3 Receiving interest, doing farming, rearing cows, commercial activities
comprises the varta- economy. (He, who knows the science of varta,
has no fear for livelihood.) Shukranitisara, 2008, 1.15
4 In Economics lies Politics as well as the reverse of Politics.Kautiliya
Arthashastra-1, 1.2.6
5 k|hfkto] sfZokfo b]jfo r gdM ;bf . ;Ltf d] CWotf+ b]jL aLh]if' r
wg]if' r . Kautilya’s Arthashastra, 2.2
6
1 bhar = 20 tula =2000 pala = 70 kgs.
1 drona= 4 adhak= 16 prastha=64 kuduba (1 kudub = app. 1 kg)
This conversion is based on Nepalese traslation and Rangrajan's
book.
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