Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c11.s3.36

c11.s3.36

Taverns and serais must be provided for sheltering travellers and merchants. These, it is emphasised, should be very numerous. They should be built strong and must be provided with tanks. Their rooms should be "uniform and in a row and may face the north and east." "In the market-place stalls or shops are to be placed according to the classes of commodities." For administrative purposes, the capital must be divided into wards. In the centre must stand the government buildings and in their midst must rise the royal residence, square but sloping towards the north. It must be "well-adorned with spacious tanks, wells and water pumps," and must have stables for "elephants, horses and cattle." The palace walls must be pierced by four beautiful gates in four directions defended by strong machines and guarded by well-armed sentinels. There shall be three courtyards, each patrolled day and night by four, five or six well-armed guards changing duty every three hours. Within the palace itself, the eastern spaces should be occupied with apartments for laundry, baths, kitchens, dining-halls and halls for worship. "For sleep and entertainments, for drinking as well as weeping, for grains and grindstones, for servants and maids, as well as for committing nuisances, houses should be built in order, towards the south. Towards the west will come sheds for cows, deer, camels, elephants, and other animals. The northern rooms, strong and beautiful, are reserved for chariots, horses, arms and weapons, gymnasium, watchmen, for clothes and provisions as well as for the study of the branches of learning."