Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c9.s1.22

c9.s1.22

The free flow of traffic along the established roads and trade routes was naturally one of the cares of the State, and all interference with it was punishable. Suitable fines were imposed for blocking passage, which varied with the importance of the roads.⁴ The fines for blocking or digging some of the roads mentioned above are thus laid down in the Arthaśāstra : for क्षुद्रपथ and मनुष्यपथ, 12 paṇas; for महापपथ, 24 paṇas; for रथपथ, 54 paṇas; for सेतुपथ and वज्रपथ, 600 paṇas; for श्मशानपथ and ग्रामपथ, 200 paṇas; for द्रोणमुखपथ, 500 paṇas; for स्थानीयपथ, राष्ट्रपथ and विवीतपथ, 1000 paṇas; for digging the roads too deep, four times the above fines were inflicted.