Pramāṇa · Search · About · API

The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c11.t27: d) Fines

The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c11.t27

Language
English

d) Fines

c11.t27.1

We shall now consider the "non-tax" revenues of the Maurya Empire. These were principally of two classes: one derived from the penal (*daṇḍa*-inflicting) power of the state, the other from the economic activities of the government. The Empire as *daṇḍa-dhara* i. e. "sanction"-exercising organization must have realized an enormous amount from fines, as these were the usual penalties inflicted by the courts of justice. The list of "crimes" was lengthy. The arms of law could reach almost any individual. Dealers in foreign goods had as many chances of transgressing the *śâsanas* (commands of the state) as the butchers in municipal areas. The number of offenses against sanitary laws ³ was as large as that against the prescribed hours and places of fording rivers.⁴ Persons committing nuisance on roads and other specified spots were fined one *paṇa* (twenty five cents). Travellers without passports (bearing government stamps) had to pay a fine of 12 *paṇas*.⁵ Bearers of false or forged passes were fined 1,000 *paṇas*. No foreigners were admitted into the country without permit. Delinquents had to pay a fine of 3000 *paṇas*, the highest fine ⁶ sanctioned in Maurya legislation. This was the fine also meted out to those who tried to smuggle foreign goods in evasion of customs duties.⁷ Negligence in having the day's government stamp fixed on weights and scales was fined 27¹/₄ *paṇas*.⁸ A fine of 600 *paṇas* was inflicted on the merchant who having imported foreign salt failed to compensate the government for the loss it might incur in not finding customers for its own salt.¹

c11.t27.2

¹ *Artha*, IV, iii.

c11.t27.3

³ See the list of fines in municipal areas in the *Ind. Ant.* 1905, pp. 51, 52, also in regard to the construction of buildings, pp. 58, 59. Note the fines realized from slaughter-houses, p. 55.

c11.t27.4

⁴ See the ferry regulations, *Ibid*, p. 111.

c11.t27.5

⁵ Vide the passport regulations in regard to travellers, *Ibid*, p. 54, and in regard to traffic in goods, pp. 47, 48.

c11.t27.6

⁶ *Ibid*, pp. 51, 52.

c11.t27.7

⁷ *Ibid*, pp. 48—50.

c11.t27.8

⁸ *Ibid*, p. 51.

c11.t27.9

¹ *Ibid*, p. 54.

Linked texts (1)