Economics of Kautiliya Shukra and Brihaspati.pmd

judged through the process prescribed. Unauthorized entry into
Akshashala was punishable. All worker were checked thoroughly while
entering and leaving the factory. Any body found stealing gold was
severely punished.(Kautiliya Arthashastram, ibid)
Armaments were manufactured in the factories set up by the
state. Te officer-in-charge of armors was responsible for state. The
officer in charge of armours was responsible for manufacturing and
safe custody of all types of weapons list of the equipments and
instruments to be stored at one place is given. This is to facilitate the
use of these items without losing time to search. Manufacturing process
and details about raw materials are also described. (ibid) Kautilya
gives much importance to mines by saying that the revenue obtained
from mines is the basis of territory and army organization. Therefore
treasury is the ornament of a country. 2 In the words of Kautilya- The
treasury has its source in the mines; from the treasury the army comes
into being. With treasury and the army the earth is obtained with the
treasury ornament. (Kautiliya Arthashastra-2, 2003, 2.12.36)
Physical Features used for Mineral Identification
Kautiliya Arthashastra deals with examination of the precious
articles to be received into the treasury in detail. The Superintendent of
Treasury is entrusted with the responsibility of receiving jewels, articles
of high value, articles of small value, forest produce etc. The said
official is also required to preside over the bureau of experts in various
lines and hence is expected to be well versed in the qualitative characters
trading techniques assessment valuation etc. of the materials to be
taken in the treasury as the wealth of the ruler. The sutras 2-5, 28-42
and sutras 17 of chapter 12 of second book elucidate the characters,
properties sources identification purity acceptability and values of the
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gems- mainly pearl, diamond, ruby, beryl, sapphire and coral and semi
precious stones. Sutras 7-27 are devoted to the description of different
types of strong made up of pearl and often studded with gems. Nuber
of enumerative sutras are presented in the table 4.3.
Table 4.3. Enumerative Sutras Related with Metallurgy
Process and Method Enumerative Sutras
Concentration Book 2 chapter 12 sutra 2,3
Book 2 chapter 12 sutra 20 - 24
Pyrometallurgy Book 2 chapter 12 sutra 5, 6 and 11
Book 2 chapter 1,2, 7,9,10,13,49
Hydrometallurgy Book 2 chapter 12 sutra 8-11
Refining Book 2 chapter 12 sutra 8 9 10 11
Alloys and Book 2 chapter 12 sutra 23, 24
metal working Book 2 chapter 13 sutra 4, 5 25-27, 37
Book 2 chapter 14 sutra 17, 20-43
Source: Sharma, 2000 : 70-71
The above introduction about various gems has been classified
with respect to the following parameters.
1.Identification of minerals/gems based on colour, luster, shape
and hardness
2.Defects which reduce the value of gems
3.Source-origin and place of occurrence
Prospecting, Mining and Metallurgy
Mining industry belongs to three fundamental stepsprospecting,
mining and metallurgy. All steps have been expalined in
Kautiliya Arthashastra. In the treatise use of metals is seen mostly in
crafts of ornament making mining coins, weapons (Book 2 chapter
19). With other minerals the shilajit (bitumen) also has been described
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