Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c8.80

c8.80

their stock wholesale, or if obstructions in traffic put them to loss, a higher rate of profit was allowed. Capitalists who combined “either to prevent the sale of merchandise, or to sell or purchase commodities at higher prices,” were to be fined a thousand paṇas. Fraud and adulteration were severely dealt with. To pass inferior “timber, iron, brilliant stones, ropes, skins, earthenware, threads, fibrous garments and woollen clothes,” for more than their real worth, was to invite a fine eight times the value of the articles sold. The adulteration of “grains, oils, alkalis, salts, scents, and medicinal articles,” with worthless stuff, was punished with a fine of twelve paṇas. The adulteration of some other commodities brought a fine of fifty-four paṇas plus compensation.¹