The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c14.121

c14.121

Kautalya is willing to grant privileges and concessions to guilds, and to protect them from outside competition, but he wants the state to maintain a tight hold on all corporations. The superintendent of accounts should register the professions, customs and professions of various guilds. Three commissioners, enjoying the confidence of the guilds, should be appointed to receive the deposits which should be returned in times of distress. On the other hand, when the state is in need of money, Kautalya would permit it to rob guilds by any shameless frauds.²