The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c18.142

c18.142

The Greek observations on the subject of vital statistics are illustrated by the regulations which require the Nāgaraka, or Town Prefect, to register every arrival in or departure from his jurisdiction. He was also bound to keep up a census statement giving in detail for each inhabitant the sex, caste, name, family name, occupation, income, expenditure, and possessions in cattle. Breaches of the fiscal regulations were punishable usually by fine or confiscation, but the penalty for wilful false statements was the same as that for theft, which might extend to death.¹