Hindu Administrative Institutions c10.s3.19

c10.s3.19

The next item of importance that came before this common-law court was that which concerned labourers. Wages were to be previously fixed and paid after the completion of the work. These should be fixed according to the circumstances of time and place. Delay to pay the due wages is punishable with a fine of five times the amount agreed upon. It is ten times the amount if the delay is wanton. The same is applicable to the employees also. If they failed to carry out the work before the appointed time, or had not done full justice to it, they were liable to a fine. As for the slaves several kinds might be distinguished—purchased, captured in war or mortgaged. They were entitled to possess private property which went to their masters only in the absence of any legal heir. One could however recover his independence on payment of an adequate compensation-price.⁴ There were several healthy regulations affording protection to the slaves whether male or female, ārya or mlechchha.