The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c14.s2.21

c14.s2.21

To a certain extent Kautilya's book may be used as an Imperial Gazetteer² of Maurya India, as it furnishes descriptive information on subjects like the following: Working of mines, operating of irrigation works; establishment of factories; maintenance of preserves and grazing grounds; the laying out of highways of commerce, waterways, landroutes, and other facilities for communication; establishment of markets and stores; construction of embankments, dams and bridges; planting of fruit and flower trees, of medicinal plants and herbs; protection of the disabled, the helpless and the infirm, and also of beasts; famines; census; central and municipal government; livestock. These treatises will thus bear apt comparison with the political chapters of the Arabic *Prolégomènes Historiques*, viz. Ibn Khaldoun’s (1372—1406) *Mokaddemah* (section III), or with the Persian *Traité du Gouvernement*, the *Siasset Nameh* by Nizam-oul-Moulk (c 1063).