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A History of Agriculture in India v1.c31.s9: Graziers

A History of Agriculture in India v1.c31.s9

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English

Graziers

v1.c31.s9.1

The cattle when out grazing were exposed to many dangers. They could get stuck in a quagmire or fall from a precipice. They might get drowned in a river or be struck by lightning. They might get devoured by tigers, or bitten by snakes, or dragged into water by crocodiles. They might also perish in a forest fire. It was the duty of the graziers to save them from such dangers.

v1.c31.s9.2

The *Arthashastra* defines, among the duties of the graziers, caution in watering cows, "They shall allow their cattle to enter only into such rivers or lakes as are of equal depth all around, broad and free from mire and crocodiles". Cows should be guarded at home behind walled enclosures, if necessary, and protected when out grazing.

v1.c31.s9.3

Graziers were enjoined to group their animals into tens of each kind, according to their colour, and take them out for grazing. They were also to attach bells to the necks of their cattle, so as to scare away snakes and tigers and as a means of knowing the whereabouts of the herds. All animals possessed brand marks, which were stamped on them at the musters.

v1.c31.s9.4

There was capital punishment for stealing a cow or hurting one. The *Arthashastra* ordains, "Whoever hurts or causes another to hurt, or steals or causes another to steal a cow, should be slain.³"

v1.c31.s9.5

³ Shamasastry, R. *Kautilya's Arthashastra*, p. 144

v1.c31.s9.6

When a person caused a bull attached to a herd to fight with another bull, he was fined. If a bull got injured, that person was heavily fined. It is the usefulness which determines whether an animal is sacred or otherwise. Cattle had fully proved their usefulness in the Mauryan age by the milk they provided to the people and their draught power in cultivation.

Cites (1)