The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c18.82

c18.82

The central government, by means of local officers, exercised strict control and maintained close supervision over all classes and castes of the population. Even the Brahman astrologers and soothsayers, and sacrificial priests, whom Megasthenes erroneously described as forming a separate class of 'philosophers' or 'sophists',² received their share of official attention, and were rewarded or punished according as their predictions and observations proved correct or mistaken. Among the artisans, ship-builders and armour-makers were salaried public servants, and were not permitted, it is said, to work for any private person. The wood-cutters, carpenters, blacksmiths, and miners were subject to special supervision, of which the nature is not defined.