Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c7.s3.t6.5

c7.s3.t6.5

The grooms (अश्वपालक), those who bound them in stables (अश्वबन्धक), supplied meadow-grass (घासघसः), prepared the meals of horses (विषापाक), watched the stables (अश्वपालक), dressed their hair (केशकार), and detected poison (जाङ्गुलीवित्) were liable to a fine of a day’s wages for neglect of duty.³ The जाङ्गुलीविदः were the grooms, cooks and veterinary surgeons, for it was they who had to taste the food of the horses.¹ The attendants of horses were enjoined to make a careful use of what they brought from the treasury or the storehouse for purposes of the stables, so as to prevent waste.² There were expert ropemakers for making ropes for horses; while the manufacture of accoutrements was the work of the chariot-makers (सूतः).³