The Mauryan Polity c8.s4.t7.19

c8.s4.t7.19

Perhaps a new interpretation of these lines is required in the light of the *Arthaśastra* texts. It is evident that Aśoka was familiar with the ruling of the *Arthaśastra* in this particular instance as in others. For Aśoka speaks of as much as twenty-five jail deliveries effected by him in the course of 26 years since his anointment to the throne.² Yet another healthy regulation relating to the jail was the frequent visits to the prisoners made by the authorities concerned once a day, sometimes once in five days, to enquire into their conditions in regard to their specific work and health, and some-