Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c8.62

c8.62

Surprising as it may seem to our age, the medical profession did not organise itself so well in ancient India as did the humbler occupations. To the craft guilds and merchant guilds a good deal of autonomy was allowed even in the days of centralisation. But Kautalya laid down certain broad principles, and wanted them to be enforced by the state. A series of veritable Statutes of Labourers ruled that artisans must fulfil their engagements as to time, place, and form of work, and that failure to carry them out, except when due to "troubles and calamities," not only meant the forfeiture of a quarter of their wages, but also a fine of twice the amount of their wages and the payment of damages into the bargain.³ Again the violation of instructions in the course of a piece of work was to be punished with the forfeiture of wages and a fine twice the amount. On the other hand, those who sought to deprive the artisans of their just earnings by minimising the quality of their work or obstructing the sale and purchase of goods, should be fined the stupendous amount of a thousand paṇas.¹