Hindu Administrative Institutions c12.s5.54

c12.s5.54

To-day we hear of mechanical contrivances for ploughing, sowing, and reaping the crops without much strain on the part of human or even animal labour. But conditions were quite different in those days of which we are speaking. In England until recently horses were used in the driving of ploughs. But in India from the very earliest times only bulls have been yoked to the plough. Generally we notice in our rural parts the plough drawn by two bulls only. But during the period when *Atri* composed his *Dharma Śāstra* we find that as many as eight bulls were employed in drawing the plough. According to this law-giver² ploughing with two animals is a heinous sin and the man who does it is the veritable killer of the animal. But two bulls could draw a plough for a reasonable time over a *prakara*. If four are yoked the plough could be taken to midday and if six upto the third part of the day and if eight for the whole day. The more the work the more animals are to be employed, for excessive work would break the back of the animals. Though according to *Atri* ploughing by eight bulls is the righteous method ploughing by two bulls is common. The reason is not far to seek. There is a perceptible deterioration of cattle wealth in point of both physical and numerical strength. The supply lacking, demand has to be adjusted. The Law-Books contain regulations as to cattle grazing and improvements of agriculture.¹ Various rules are given in the Kauṭalīya as regards cattle protection, dairying, trespass, preventing cruelty to animals, etc.²