Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c8.s1: Rations

Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya), Vol. I c8.s1

Language: English

Rations

c8.s1.1

The quantity of ration to be given to an elephant was regulated generally according to its age, which was inferred from its size and other physical features; and for this purpose elephants were divided into three groups, viz.:—

c8.s1.2

(i) those that were 14 feet high, 18 feet long, and 20 feet in girth, and were from these measurements inferred to be of forty years of age; (ii) those that were thirty years old; and (iii) those that were twenty-five years old.

c8.s1.3

The diet for the second group was one-quarter less than that of the first; and the diet of the third group was one-quarter less than that of the second.

c8.s1.4

The dietary of the first group comprised the following :—

c8.s1.5

| Quantities. | Modern equivalents. |
| 1 droṇa of rice (तण्डुल) . . . . . . 4½ chataks. |
| ¼ ādhaka of oil (तैल) . . . . . . 1¼ chatak. |
| 3 prasthas of ghee (सर्पिष) . . . . . 3¾ kanchas. |
| 10 palas of salt . . . . . . . 4½ sikis. |
| 50 palas of मांस, i.e. fleshy parts or pulp of fruits . . . . . . . . . 1 chatak 4 sikis. |
| 1 ādhaka of रस (drink) or } . . . . 1¼ chatak. |
| 2 ādhakas of curd } . . . . . . |
| 10 palas of sugar (सार) for making food palatable . . . . . . . . 4½ sikis. |
| 1 ādhaka of liquor (मद्य) or } . . . . 1¼ chatak. |
| 2 ādhakas of milk (पयः) } . . . . . |
| 2 bhāras of meadow-grass (यवस) . . . 6 seers. |
| 2½ bhāras of मष (sporting-grass) . . . 6¼ seers. |
| ½ bhāra of hay . . . . . . . ½ seer. |