The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c11.t28.1

c11.t28.1

The second head of non-tax revenue comprises the items of income that the Empire derived from its economic enterprises. Shipping lines² with fleets of boats for passengers and goods were operated by the state. The traffic by sea was large enough to render the undertaking a lucrative proposition. The Empire carried on another business under the supervision of the naval department. State boats were let out on hire by the *nâvadhyakṣa* or port commissioner for purposes of pearl fishery and the fishing of conch shells.² The ferry charges on rivers must also be considered in connection with the government's commercial ventures. These were regulated according to the size of rivers and the amount of freight carried.³ Any load of commodities whether for sale or not was charged four *mâṣâs* (about six cents). One *mâṣâ* was paid by a traveller with a minor quadruped carrying some load. Two *mâṣâs* were demanded for a load carried on the head or on the shoulders, a cow or a horse. Double was the rate for transporting a camel or a buffalo. The ferry charge for a small cart was five *mâṣâs*, for one of medium size drawn by bulls six *mâṣâs*, and for a big cart seven *mâṣâs*. The ferry dues on large rivers were twice the respective rates.