Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c19.13

c19.13

| *Asoka's Edicts.* | *Kauṭilya's Arthaśāstra.* |
| | But the Inscription refers to the *Vrajabhūmika* as an officer created by Asoka for the purpose of promoting toleration, and in that case, he must be some such officer as had to deal not with the dumb animals but rather with human beings for whom such moral teaching was suitable. The word *vraja* suggests that these might be the people of the rural parts, the pedestrians and pilgrims along the high roads, or in the rest-houses which Asoka was so liberal in providing for facilities of travelling. Now Kauṭilya in II. 1 lays down as the king's duty the protection of the high-ways of commerce (*vaṇik patham*) 'from molestation by courtiers, tax-collectors (*kārmika*), robbers and Wardens of the Marches (*Anta-pāla*), and from damage by herds of cattle, and of the live-stock of the country (*paśuvrajān*) from robbers, tigers, poisonous creatures and diseases.' Thus an officer like the *Vrajabhūmika* might very well be needed for discharging this duty and obligation of the king in respect of the |