The Historical Inscriptions of Southern India (collected till 1923) and Outlines of Political History c7.38

c7.38

² In regard to this opinion of the late Mr. Sewell, attention may be invited to the chapters on the *Arthaśāstra* in the late Mr. F. J. Monahan's work, *The Early History of Bengal*. The author is one who had made a special study of the work in comparison with the other sources, and the following sentences are taken from a summary at the end of the chapters, in which a detailed examination of the work had been undertaken by him :— ‘The picture which the work presents is that of a paternal government, tempered by respect for religion and custom, and, probably, limited also by the power and privileges of guilds and corporations. Though the government was not democratic, it is likely that the life of the guilds and various other associations may have afforded occasion for such democratic processes as elections, debates, and decisions by majority vote.’ ‘On the whole, it may be claimed for the *Arthaśāstra* that its general spirit is enlightened and humane, and though in some places it advocates methods and expedients flagrantly repugnant to our ideas of public morality, the general objects held in view are the maintenance of law and order, the punishment of the wicked, and the protection of the peaceable citizen’ (pp. 137, 138).—*Editor*.