Chapter 4.6 - King’s Control over Economy

In the present time, the countries around the globe are divided into three divisions, viz. socialist, capitalist and mixed economy depending upon control of the government over the economy of the country. It is remarkable that the Vyavahārādhyāya shows the control and interference of the king in every part of the law of economic activities particularly in trade and commerce. For instance, sale and purchase is conducted daily according to the value fixed by the king.^[1] The profit that can be earned by the trader on indigenous articles is declared as five per cent and ten per cent on those coming from other countries.^[2] The duty of the king is to fix the price, calculating the intrinsic value of the commodities and the charges for bringing them, so that the seller and the buyer may not suffer any loss.^[3]

The control of king over the market is clearly stated that the king has the right to levy twentieth part of the profit as his royalty, because he rules the market as the appraiser of the commodities. The king is also empowered to restrict the sale of some of the commodities or to specially reserve a commodity. The king can get back such commodities and also that, which is worthy of a king even if sold.^[4] The trader who falsely declares the quantity to evade payment of proper duty, who avoids a tolling office, is liable to punish with a fine eight times the value of the articles.^[5] The marine officer has been engaged to collect custom duty on water. If he levies it on land, he has to pay a fine of ten paṇas.^[6] The kind of state control over the economy, which is recorded in the text of the Vyavahārādhyāya, may too indicate an efficient administration under the king.

Another point revealed in the Vyavahārādhyāya is that in the administration of the kingdom, the king seems to be governed by practical aspect. Therefore, it is found that gambling has been recognised as a means for collecting tax under state control. Moreover, the gambling houses are kept under supervision of a person in order to collect information about thieves as generally the thieves use to go there frequently.^[7]