Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c6.6

c6.6

Let us first turn to the first of these officers. It must not be supposed that the superintendent of cows, as the name indicates, had to take care of cows alone. In fact, he had to do with other animals also, such as buffaloes, sheep, goats, asses, camels, pigs, mules and dogs. One of his chief duties was to appoint milkers (दोहक), churners (मन्थक) and hunters (लुब्धक) for fixed wages, to each of whom was assigned a herd of 100 heads.¹ He had also to see that the bulls were tamed and trained to the yoke by the cowherds (गोपालक), and that strings were put through their noses,² as also to settle terms with herdsmen for the tending of animals under their charge. These terms were of four kinds:—