Intercourse between India and the Western World from the Earliest Times to the Fall of Rome c8.74

c8.74

Then came the *Husbandmen* (Γεωργοί). Megasthenes found the Indian rayat to be, as he is now, of a peaceful, gentle nature. Exempted from military service, he took no part in war and politics, and lived quietly on his farm, rarely going to the city. Often, says Megasthenes, you might see him calmly ploughing, while contending armies a little distance off were fighting for their lives. India changes little, and when the English troops were besieging Delhi in 1857, the ploughman went on with his work between the Ridge and the doomed city, just as Megasthenes describes him as doing. So complete is the division of labour brought about by the caste-system. It is interesting to note that all land belonged to the Crown. There was no private ownership¹. As in all ancient communities, the taxation was severe. The rayat paid the Crown three-fourths, or according to others, one-fourth of the produce, in addition to ground-rent (χώρας μισθοί).