Hindu Administrative Institutions c12.s5.27

c12.s5.27

The *Dharmasūtras* also advance certain rules for agricultural improvements in general. Baudhāyana rules that the study of the *Vedas* and the industry of agriculture are not inconsistent.¹ On the other hand they are interdependent and one could take to both. This indicates the importance of the agricultural industry. In the opinion of Āpastamba any lessee who takes the land on certain conditions and is not able to realize the maximum produce through sheer carelessness and want of proper exertion on his part, would be held responsible for the satisfaction of his agreement. He further rules that any labourer engaged in cultivation abandons the work incomplete is liable to be flogged. Such a high penalty imposed would merely show with what care and exertion an agricultural labourer was expected to work.