The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c14.112

c14.112

He has an elaborate system of irrigation from tanks, wells, rivers and canals. The charges were to be a third, a fourth, or a fifth of the produce of the irrigated soil, according to the source or method of irrigation. Any wanton interference with irrigation facilities was to be severely punished.¹ For relief of famine, the state granaries should open their doors, the rich should be compelled to yield up their hordes of grain, heavy taxes should be levied on wealthy people, hunting and fishing should be resorted to on a grand scale; emigration to the sea-shore, and to the banks of lakes, rivers, etc., should be encouraged; wherever possible, grains, vegetables, roots and fruits should be intensively cultivated. Relief should be sought from friendly states in the neighbourhood; prayers should go forth to the higher powers; the gods Mahâkaccha, and Indra, the gods of the mountains and the holy Ganges should be worshipped.²