The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c15.s3.30

c15.s3.30

The *Sabhâ-parva* of the *Mahâbhârata* is explicit about the development of agriculture by the government to such an extent as to render it independent of the monsoons. Kâmandaka wants the state to patronize the commercial classes. The people's interests are looked after in Śukra's suggestion that if “new industries be undertaken or new lands brought under cultivation” no taxes are to be demanded until the new ventures “have realized profit twice the expenditure.”⁶ Such remissions of taxes or suspensions of revenue for certain periods are however not to be permitted by Kautilya on *doctrinaire* grounds.⁷ The difficulties in the improvement effected by the peasants are to be carefully considered in fixing the rate of remission. Likewise is the wealth of the land sought to be augmented by protective duties, e. g. on foreign salts and wines.⁸ Kautilya would also recommend legislation against “profiteering.”⁸ Consumers may thereby be protected from ruinously high profits and a general level of moderate prices would encourage saving. But on the other hand Śukra does not want to be unjust to the seller.¹ The excise on sales is not to be realized if the trader receives what is less than or just equal to the cost.