The Mauryan Polity c13.s12.64

c13.s12.64

Dr. Stein has examined the Greek terms occurring in different places for caste, and has come to the conclusion that the expression of Megasthenes could not be interpreted as caste.² Schwanbeck, however, has attempted to identify these seven divisions as caste divisions: (1) Philosophers, Brahmans; (2) Husbandmen, Vaiśyas; (3) Herdsmen, Niṣādas and other lower castes; (4) Artizans, Vaiśyas and Śūdras; (5) the Military, Kṣatriyas; (6) a mixed caste, overseers; (7) Councillors and assessors, Brahmans. Though this is an explanation in a way it is not very satisfactory. There is some truth in Pischel's remark that Megasthenes has confounded castes and classes.¹ It is more reasonable to assume that Megasthenes has been told of the caste system and the chief regulations underlying the system.² He must have also learnt that the principle of division was at best a division of labour, castes being based on professions. As he has divided all the professions into seven kinds he has divided the wholy body of the people into seven classes. Evidently Megasthenes' classification was according to professions and not castes. As the professions were more or less hereditary, especially so at that time, Megasthenes could have easily taken the community of peoples following a certain profession to form a separate caste by itself. From all Greek accounts we gather that the class of philosophers was constituted by Brahmans and Śramaṇas.³ The husbandmen were agricultural people who belonged to the Śūdra caste. According to Kauṭalya every village must have not less than 100 families and not more than 500 families of agricultural people of the Śūdra caste.⁴ Again that the Śūdra caste was numerically strong is attested to in so many words by Kauṭalya.⁵ There is further the prescription of the Arthaśāstra that the king shall protect agriculture from devastation of any sort. Such of those undesirables as would cause disturbance to the work of the villagers who are wedded to their fields were subject to severe punishment.⁶ This is all in keeping with Megasthenes' account.⁷ About neatherds and shepherds the account of Megasthenes is proven from the *Arthaśāstra* almost throughout.¹ As regards hunters though Megasthenes is in agreement with Kauṭalya a discovery is made, *viz.*, Kauṭalya does not mention wandering hunters, those who live in tents.²