The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c10.s1.t9.1

c10.s1.t9.1

If the town governments of the viceregal capitals like Taxila, Ujjayinî, Tosali and Suvarṇa-giri and other important cities of the empire were modelled on that at Pâtali-putra, we may believe that special attention was paid by the townspeople to sanitation. The health regulations were strictly enforced. Persons committing nuisance on roads, in bathing places, near reservoirs, temples and palaces were fined one *paṇa* (25 cents).¹ One-eighth of a *paṇa* was the penalty for throwing dust on the road. Persons carrying carcasses of dead animals on public roads were fined three to six *paṇas*. And the highest fine known to the Mauryas, that of 3,000 *paṇas*, was inflicted on persons who carried dead bodies by other than fixed paths. Houseowners were bound to keep the gutter of their houses in such condition as to allow a free passage to gutter water.² Violation of this municipal law was likewise punished with fines. Scrupulous cleanliness of the city was thus maintained by positive law.