Hindu Administrative Institutions c9.s1.65

c9.s1.65

Excise.—The superintendent of the excise department (सुराध्यक्षः) was to centralize or decentralize the sale of manufactured liquor. These spirits were manufactured in the ports, country-parts and camps set apart for the purpose. Six varieties of liquor are mentioned; *medaka* from rice, *prasannā* from spices and fruits, *āsava* from sugar and honey, *ariṣṭa* (perhaps a special medicinal preparation), *maireya* from jaggery, pepper, and barks, *madhu* from grapes. Besides these there is the *sahakārasurā* extracted from the juice of mango fruits. The daily sales of each variety were examined by special officials. The manufacture of liquor was a royal monopoly denied to private people. Toddy or juice of palms does not find mention, but only the fermented juice of grapes and other syrups.²