Hindu Administrative Institutions c12.s6.42

c12.s6.42

Alien guests must either go to their caste people or live in rest houses. There were watchmen who either openly or in disguise wandered all the streets and other public places such as hotels, shops of wine-vendors, flesh-dealers, gambling dens, and arrested the criminal, and even suspects who were punished if found guilty. There were regulations for building and also for kindling fire. Thatched roofs were avoided as far as possible. Preventive measures were taken to quench fire when it breaks out in any corner of the city or of the village. Those citizens who did not co-operate in such public matters were fined and also punished in other ways.³ There are again rules of practical wisdom;—insurance against famine, flood and fire.⁴ In case of famine the king would supply freely food from his treasury or from sympathetic neighbouring rulers or from the munificence of his rich subjects. Failing these he set on foot emigration. In time of floods people must remove themselves from the banks of rivers.¹