Economics of Kautiliya Shukra and Brihaspati.pmd
Economics of Kautiliya Shukra and Brihaspati.pmd
Economics of Kautiliya Shukra and Brihaspati.pmd
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the control, both his subjects <strong>and</strong> his enemy.’(Jayasawal, 1972: 327)<br />
Since Varta- the economy supplies grain, cattle, money, <strong>and</strong> various<br />
kinds <strong>of</strong> products to the state. It also supplies labor force, necessary<br />
for production in agriculture <strong>and</strong> commercial sector. From this it may<br />
be surmised that labourers engaged in the various economic fields<br />
could be recruited for similar state enterprises. Thus, the labor force<br />
was also national wealth according to Kautilya. This provides the insight<br />
<strong>of</strong> Kautilya on the modern non-material wealth concept.<br />
The state is sustained by the revenues it collects form the<br />
subjects. These follow different economic activity from which they<br />
make a living <strong>and</strong> pay taxes to the state. Three principal economic<br />
activities are recognized as providing men with the means <strong>of</strong> livelihood,<br />
namely krisi- agriculture, goraksha or pashupalya- animal farming <strong>and</strong><br />
Banijya- commerce. We can call it K-G-B sector. In the beginning<br />
National Economy was three sector, later on, money lending <strong>and</strong><br />
artisanship were also brought <strong>and</strong> it became four sector.<br />
(<strong>Shukra</strong>nitisar, 2008, 1.156)<br />
Like all the activities in the state varta too was rooted<br />
(janapadmula) in the country (<strong>Kautiliya</strong> Arthashastra-2, 2003,<br />
8.1.29). The ideal state is described at length is in Book 6, Chapter 1,<br />
Sutra 8. Among other things it is stated that it should be easy to defend,<br />
should provide easy means <strong>of</strong> livelihood, such as arable l<strong>and</strong>, mines,<br />
forest, pastures, trade-routes, <strong>and</strong> so on, <strong>and</strong> should be inhabited by<br />
hard working farmers <strong>and</strong> men mostly <strong>of</strong> the lower varnas. Apart from<br />
considered <strong>of</strong> defense the emphasis is on facility for the pursuit <strong>of</strong><br />
varta. But <strong>of</strong> course a ruler has to satisfy with such territory as may<br />
have fallen to his lot. A choice is however possible when new settlements<br />
are planned or new conquests attempted. In such a case he is advised<br />
29<br />
to choose l<strong>and</strong> which abound in water, yields crops without much<br />
rain, is suitable for grain crops <strong>and</strong> so on what is predominantly<br />
good agriculture l<strong>and</strong>. (<strong>Kautiliya</strong> Arthashastra-3, 2003:167)<br />
Rural Development<br />
Kautilya believed in scientific farming. The state <strong>of</strong>ficer-incharge<br />
<strong>of</strong> agriculture was designated as Sitadhayksha- The<br />
Superintendent or Head <strong>of</strong> Agriculture. Literally sita st<strong>and</strong>s for plough.<br />
The Superintendent <strong>of</strong> Agriculture should be qualified in farm technology,<br />
have good underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> soil characteristics <strong>and</strong> qualities, plants<br />
<strong>and</strong> trees, flowers <strong>and</strong> fruits <strong>and</strong> different crops.<br />
According to Kautilya- the Superintendent <strong>of</strong> Agriculture,<br />
should have a good knowledge <strong>of</strong> Krisitantra- the Science <strong>of</strong> Agriculture,<br />
Sulvasastra- Geology, <strong>and</strong> Botany. (<strong>Kautiliya</strong> Arthashastra-2, 2003,<br />
2.24.1) These references clear that there were developed sciences on<br />
agriculture, forestry, <strong>and</strong> mines. Parasar <strong>and</strong> others explained the<br />
Science <strong>of</strong> Grain, <strong>and</strong> Agniveshya developed the Science <strong>of</strong> Herbs.<br />
The Shulvashastra was related with the Science <strong>of</strong> Mines. (Kautilyako<br />
Arthashastra, 1967, 2.24)<br />
Kautilya allows The Superintendent <strong>of</strong> Agriculture to take<br />
assistance <strong>of</strong> experts if he did not have the knowledge <strong>of</strong> all these<br />
fields. (ibd) This description clears one more thing that the state used<br />
to employ the services <strong>of</strong> experts in various sectors <strong>of</strong> production.<br />
The duty <strong>of</strong> The Superintendent <strong>of</strong> Agriculture was to collect in the<br />
proper seasons the seeds <strong>of</strong> all kinds <strong>of</strong> grains, flowers, fruits,<br />
vegetables, bulbous root, roots, creeper fruits <strong>and</strong> cotton.He was also<br />
responsible for providing good quality seeds; get the fields ploughed<br />
by workers employed, slaves, <strong>and</strong> prisoners. (ibid) Since in the K-M<br />
30