Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c8.s5.42

c8.s5.42

The state itself is the biggest landowner and business-owner in the system of Kautalya. It ran ships and boats, conducted mining operations on sea and land; monopolised salt, and took the whole of the forest produce. But that did not suffice. It claimed a share in the income of every one else. It exacted a large tribute from the feudatories. It appropriated one-sixth of the produce of the land with extra fees for irrigation. Nothing was manufactured, nothing was distributed, nothing was sold or consumed, but something poured into the coffers of the state. Not only human prosperity, but also human degradation, contributed to replenish the treasury. A heavy excise on drink, dice, and prostitution brought some revenue, while justice, in which heavy fines figure so frequently, brought more.