Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c11.64

c11.64

As regards Megasthenes's reference to "accurate distinction of new and second-hand articles," it was secured by the *Śulkādhyaksha* of Kauṭilya. As we have seen, this officer was authorised to penalise fradulent understatement of the quantity or price of goods, or showing inferior samples to conceal the true quality of their goods in order to avoid taxation. We have also seen how fines were imposed on adulteration.