Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c41.s1: Mines and Metals in the Society
Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c41.s1
- Language
- English
Mines and Metals in the Society
v2.c41.s1.1
Mines were considered to be of supreme importance towards the economic welfare of the society and defence of the nation against external aggression. One of the most crucial statements in the *Arthaśāstra* reads:
v2.c41.s1.2
आकरप्रभवः कोशः कोशात् दण्डः प्रजायते। पृथिवी कोशदण्डाभ्याम् प्राप्यते कोशभूषणा।। *ākaraprabhavaḥ kośaḥ kośāt daṇḍaḥ prajāyate* | *pṛthivi kośadaṇḍābhyām prāpyate kośabhūṣaṇā* || (2.12.37)
v2.c41.s1.3
The treasury has its source in the mines; from the treasury the army comes into being. With the treasury and the army, the earth is obtained with the treasury as its ornament.
v2.c41.s1.4
Thus mines have primordial importance. It has been stated more explicitly (7.14.25) that ‘mines are the source of implements of war’:
v2.c41.s1.5
खनिः संग्रामोपकरणानां योनिः। khaniḥ saṃgrāmopakaraṇānāṃ yoniḥ ।
v2.c41.s1.6
Gold, silver, diamonds, gems, pearls, corals, conch-shells, metals, salt and ores derived from the earth, rocks and liquids were recognised as materials coming under the purview of mines (2.6.4). The Superintendent of Mines was supposed to be an expert in mineralogy, smelting and colouring gems (2.12.1) and to establish factories for the above items and also derivatives like the caustic alkali (2.12.27). The metallic ores had to be sent to the respective Metal Works for producing ‘twelve kinds of metals and commodities’ (2.12.23 & 35-36). From the mines and the metal works had to be collected ‘the price, the share, the surcharge, the monopoly tax, penalty, duty, compensation, fine, inspection fee and manufacturing charges’ (2.12.35-36). Thus the state was supposed to have complete control over the mineral resources.
Linked texts (1)
- Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit