The Mauryan Polity c13.s12.37

c13.s12.37

(f) Megasthenes reports that the Indians are not addicted to drinking.⁴ Evidently Megasthenes moved with those members of the community who were bound by the law of the land to forsake alcoholic drinks and wine. This we see from the Arthaśāstra where there is a prohibition for the Brahmans. From the same work there is evidence to demonstrate that the other classes were not prohibited from taking these drinks, though some restrictions were placed on their use. Thus Megasthenes in this particular cannot be said to be correct.⁵