Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c7.s3.t3: Rations

Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya), Vol. I c7.s3.t3

Language: English

Rations

c7.s3.t3.1

The superintendent regulated the rations of the horses under his charge in the following ways:—

| Quantities. | Modern equivalents. |
| 2 droṇas (द्रोण) of any one of these grains, viz. शालि, व्रीहि (rice), barley (यव), panic-seed or mustard-seed (प्रियङ्गु) half-dried or half-cooked, or boiled मुद्ग or माष (kinds of pulse) . . . . . | 9⅜ chataks. |

c7.s3.t3.4

c7.s3.t3.5

Those horses that were tired by long journey or by carrying loads were given 1 prastha of oil or ghee more for perfuming their food (अनुवासन), 1 kuḍumba (1½ siki) of oil or ghee for rubbing over the nose, ½ bhāra (भार), i.e. 1½ seer, of meadow-grass (यवस), twice as much of straw (तृण) and hay for a bedding of 6 aratins (12 ft.) or as much straw as can be held within the arms (षडरतिः परिक्षेपः पुंजीकृतो वा हस्त भुजद्वयपरिष्वंगपाशः).

c7.s3.t3.6

The same quantity of rations less by one-quarter was given to horses of medium and inferior quality. A draught horse or stallion of medium size was given the same quantity as the best horse, and draught horses of lower size the same quantity as a horse of medium quality.

c7.s3.t3.7

Mares and mules (परममश्) were given onequarter less of rations. A mare that had just given birth to a colt was given 1 prastha or 1½ kancha of ghee for the first three days; then for the next ten days, 1 prastha, i.e. 1½ kancha, of सक्तु (i.e. pounded gram, etc.), and oil or ghee mixed with medicine. Afterwards, she was given युषाक (boiled rice), यवस (meadow-grass), and other things suited to the season.

c7.s3.t3.8

Half the rations of mares was generally given to colts; but a colt of ten days was fed on ¼ kuḍumba (¼ siki) of ghee, 1 kuḍumba (1½ siki) of सक्तु and 1 prastha (1½ kancha) of milk till it was six months old. Gradually, the above rations were increased half as much during each succeeding month, with the addition of 1 prastha of barley, till it became three years old. It was given 1 droṇa (4½ chataks) of barley until four years of age, when it became fully developed and serviceable.