The Mauryan Polity c13.s12.129

c13.s12.129

We have there the expression definitely used by the author in the technical sense of the measurement of space. Hence the term *‘rajjus’* must mean those officials engaged in the survey of lands by means of the *rajju* measurements. Some of these points have been raised by Otto Stein but his interpretation could not carry him further.² As regards the supervisor of hunters, of woodcutters, etc., it is reasonable to presume that the superintendent of pasture meadows (*vivitādhyakṣa*) was in charge.³ Again he was the superintendent of passports.⁴ With the help of hunters he was to secure safety to country-parts and protect timber and elephant forests, keep roads in good repair and assist the mercantile people. In addition to these functions they were expected to levy taxes and collect them on behalf of the state. Or there might have been separate revenue officials under the direction and control of the *samāhartā* and Megasthenes has not been fully informed of the duties of each and every official complicated as the machinery was.¹