Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c8.s5.35

c8.s5.35

Equal in value and in importance to the roads were the waterways. Indeed, before the railroad revolutionised the whole system of traffic, they formed some of the greatest highways of the country. They were deemed so essential to the community that Kautalya refused to leave the organisation of their use to the unrestricted play of private enterprise. In his system the riverbanks are studded with ferries, controlled by the state. Boats, many of which are owned by the state and are let out on hire, ply in thousands, on rivers and lakes, and often congregate in the vicinity of fortresses, Loads, “quadrupeds,” camels, buffaloes, and carts, crossing the ferries, are to be taxed from one to seven māṣas. Individual persons could obtain a ferry-pass for one māṣas. Natives or foreigners, who tried to cross without a pass, or with forged passes, suffered the confiscation of their property, the highest or first amercement, or a fine of twelve paṇas. From the ferry-tax, however, there were some remarkable exceptions, Brāhmaṇas and ascetics, old or ailing persons, pregnant women, children, and royal messengers should be provided with free passes. Those who served the state, or supplied the community with the necessaries of life, could also pass freely. How these nice distinctions are to be enforced we are not told, but if enforced at all, they would yield a considerable revenue.¹ Besides, a sort of ship-money is prescribed on villages on the sea-shore, or on the banks of rivers or lakes. Fishermen should pay one-sixth of the haul as licence-fee. The Superintendent should keep detailed accounts, and transmit the daily receipts to the treasury. On the other hand, if the passengers suffered accidents or losses owing to heavy loads, bad choice of weather or ferry, inadequacy of crew or lack of repair on the state barges, the government was bound to compensate them. All mishaps should be investigated.