Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c5.31

c5.31

After the metals had been purified, the superintendents who looked after the manufacture of articles from the metals took charge of them. There were several such superintendents, *e.g.* a superintendent of gold (सुवर्णाध्यक्षः) for manufacturing ornaments from gold; a superintendent of the inferior metals (लोहाध्यक्षः), viz. copper, lead, tin, bell-metal, ताम्र and लोभ, to manufacture commodities from them; a superintendent of the armoury (आयुधाध्यक्षः), one of whose duties was to look after the manufacture of metal weapons; a superintendent of the mint (लक्षणध्यक्षः) for minting coins from gold, silver, copper, etc.; a superintendent of the treasury (कोशाध्यक्षः), one of whose principal duties was to look after the formation of ornaments of precious stones such as necklaces and bracelets. Commerce in the manufactured metal articles was in the hands of Government. There was a separate superintendent to look after and regulate commerce in salt (लवणाध्यक्षः).