Hindu Administrative Institutions c9.s1.61

c9.s1.61

*Mines.*—There were both land and ocean mines (खन्य). The state had the monopoly in mining and in metals.⁴ Mines were granted to corporations or individuals for fixed terms of lease and mining operations should be carried on by previous licenses obtained. In that case the Government need not spend on their outlay. Besides there were other mines worked by the state itself. There was an officer in charge of these mines. He collected conch-shells, diamonds, corals, salt and so on from the ocean mines. One branch of this department was the office of the mint. Coins of gold, silver and copper, were minted here under the direction of the superintendent of the mint (लक्षणध्यक्षः). There was, besides, the examiner of coins (रूपदर्शकः) who regulated the currency as a medium of exchange (व्यावहारिकों). It was for him to fix legal tender (कोशप्रवेश्यां).⁵ Brahmans guilty of offences were to work in mines as a punishment.¹ Thus these mines added considerably to the state treasury.