Home > Indian History > History of India > Superintendent of Liquor
Superintendent of Liquor
Superintendent of Liquor shall be in charge of carrying out liquor traffic which has been discussed extensively in the Chapter XXV of Book II in Arthashastra. Among other sources of edible products liquors formed one of the major sources of profit for the kingdom. Arthashastra takes full provision to restrict the use of liquor for minimum purpose.

Share this Article:

Superintendent of Liquor shall employ people with expert knowledge regarding the manufacture of liquor along with whom shall carry out liquor traffic not only within fort premises but also outside, in the country side as well. Kautilya in Chapter XXV of Book II in Arthashastra makes full provision regarding use of liquor for necessity than misuse of it. In case of easy movement and sale of liquor, Superintendent of liquor shall be free to either centralise or decentralise the sale of liquor. A fine of 600 panas shall be levied on the offenders other than those who are manufacturers, purchasers and sellers in liquor traffic. Kautilya clearly prohibits the distribution of liquor in villages. As Kautilya`s major concern had been creating a society of virtue and principles, he makes full provision regarding the sale of liquor. Liquors will be sold only to those persons with sound character in a very limited and nominal amount so that they don`t get mislead from the path of virtue.

Superintendent of liquor is further responsible for fixing the rates of liquor along with the mode of payment. It makes full provisions where no foul means will be allowed to be used as a mode of production; also Kautilya does not allow anyone to pay through sealed and unsealed articles or through the commodities given for repair, stolen articles and the like which the customers have acquired with foul means. Further the customers possessing gold and other articles not belonging to them shall be arrested and even those who are too extravagant and spend beyond their income shall be arrested. No fresh liquor without the bad liquor will be sold below the price and the bad liquor shall be given to the slaves and the workers.

Superintendent of liquor will then make provisions for the comfort of the customers and at the same time advises the merchants to observe the behaviour of the customers who shall be provided with beds and other items of comfort in case they get exhausted.

Superintendent of liquor shall make different groups for a variety of liquors as the liquors can be used for both intoxication as well as medicinal purpose the physicians need to concentrate and learn to derive medicines out of liquor which shall be further utilised for medicines. Arthashastra provides the physicians with detailed prescriptions for the manufacturing of medicines which can be combined with flower extracts and other Ayurvedic plants of medicinal importance.

Superintendent of liquor along with other functions shall be responsible for levying taxes on the manufactured liquor. The Superintendent shall allow some people on few occasions to manufacture white liquor, arishta for the purpose of diseases, and other kind of liquors; on the occasions of festivals, fairs and pilgrimage the manufacture of liquor shall be allowed for four days on which the Superintendent shall be free to impose daily fines. Women and children shall be allowed to collect only two types of liquor namely sura and kinva and ferment; those other than the king who possess liquor shall be compelled to pay five percent toll as fine. Having ascertained the day`s sale of the above kinds of liquor, the difference of royal and public measures (manavyaji), and the excessive amount of sale proceeds realised thereby, the superintendent shall fix the amount of compensation (vaidharana) due to the king (from local or foreign merchants for entailing loss on the king`s liquor traffic) and shall always adopt best course.

Thus Superintendent of Liquor shall have one of the most extensive responsibilities to assess, collect and reassess the amount of compensation which the king benefits after the complete day`s sale. His job is important as along with the production he has to maintain the level of moral stability as well.


Share this Article:

Subscribe to Newsletter
Learn unknown facts about India from a curated list of informative articles.

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India

History of Indian Drama
History of Indian Drama is rich with Vedas and Indian epics and has gradually changed with time and remains unaffected by any foreign influence.
History of Khajuraho Temple
Located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is country’s most magnificent groups of temples.
History of Ayurveda
History of Ayurveda dates back to 5,000 years old and is widely considered to be the oldest form of health care in the world.
History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History of Indian Photography
An overview of the development of photography, through the various stages in India.
History of Delhi
History of Delhi began with the advent of Indian regal dynasties. Delhi witnessed the rise and fall of Hindu dynasties, Muslims and the British as well.
History of Indian Radio
History of Indian Radio dates back to late 1930s with the first establishment of All India Radio in 1936 that improved further after independence.
History of Punjab
History of Punjab dates back to the 16th century; however its formation is traced in the great epic Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
History of Maharashtra
Maharashtra, the land of charismatic Marathas, unfolds the legend of diverse culture and tradition, keeping in pace with the modernity. The gallant history of Maharashtra is still echoed amidst its historical relics and archeological wonders.
History of Kerala
History of Kerala can be interpreted from the inscriptions of Ashoka, Mauryan Emperor. History of Kerala is as interesting as its wide-ranging geographical features that make the land a place of versatile appeal.
History of Bihar
History of Bihar goes back to the very dawn of the human civilizations. Many eminent personalities and leaders from Bihar contributed for India’s freedom struggle.
History of Assam
In the ancient Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata, Assam was known as `Kamarupa` or `Pragjyotish`. In the Mahabharata, the Puranas, the Tantras there are references of Assam as Kamrupa kingdom.
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands dates back to the settlement of the East India Company in the territory of the Islands.
History of West Bengal
History of West Bengal is rooted in richness and is an important episode in the history of India. The history of Bengal played an important role in shaping the history of India.
History of Jharkhand
One of the fairly newer states, Jharkhand was carved out of the southern portion of Bihar in 2000. The history of Jharkhand is seeped with a variety of cultural significances starting from the Vedic era to Mughal period and finally the British administration.
History of Sikkim
History of Sikkim declares the pre historic culture and the colonial era hilly politics and the rules of Sikkim.
History of Nagaland
The history of Nagaland mainly revolves around and deals with the customs and economic activities of the Naga Tribes and how the state has evolved since the Indian Independence.
History of Mizoram
History of Mizoram includes the various historical events and incidents which occurred during the various ages, right from before the age of the Mughals.
History of Jammu & Kashmir
History of Jammu and Kashmir involves a series of political and geographical transformations from every ancient era to the modern times also. Even now, Jammu and Kashmir has its political tension between Pakistan and India.
History of Puducherry
Puducherry was invaded by different invaders in different times. The invaders include Pallava Kingdom of Kanchipuram, dynasties of the South, Cholas of Thanjavur, Pandyas and Muslim invaders.
History of Chandigarh
In 1947, the British India was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Punjab was also included in this partition. So, there was a need for a new capital for Punjab, as the old capital Lahore became part of Pakistan during the partition. So, in 1948, under the leadership of chief architect Mr. P.L. Verma the construction of Chandigarh city began.
History of Daman and Diu
During the early stage, i.e. from 8th to 13th century, Daman and Diu was part of Goa.
History of Lakshadweep
History of Lakshadweep defines the first settlement on these islands under the Union Territory of India that was ruled by Cheraman Perumal, who was the last king of Kerala.
History of Karnataka
History of Karnataka comprised of the different rulers of different dynasties of various religions like Hindus, Buddhists, and later the Muslims.
History of Goa
History of Goa dates back to the 3rd century BC and reflects the rule of the mighty rulers and gained its independence under Jawaharlal Nehru.
History of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh possesses a rich historical heritage of culture of the ancient tribes. Being a bordering state of India, Arunachal Pradesh also has a history of military unrest since ancient Indian age.
History of Andhra Pradesh
History of Andhra Pradesh traces its origin back to the 5th century BC. According to the inscriptions, Kuberaka, the oldest Kingdom in South India had an empire in the coastal Andhra during that period.
History of Himachal Pradesh
History of Himachal Pradesh narrates about the various settlements and dynasties that emerged in the region over time.
History of Uttarakhand
History of Uttarakhand finds mention in the early Hindu scriptures as Kedarkhand, Manaskhand and Himavat. Uttarakhand is called as the Land of the Gods (Dev Bhoomi) because of its various holy places and shrines.
History of Rajasthan
The history of Rajasthan is dotted with tales of valor, chivalry, camaraderie and romance.
History of Tamil Nadu
History of Tamil Nadu reveals that this ancient place in South India was ruled by various kingdoms like the Pandyas Dynasty, Cholas Dynasty, Nayakas Dynasty and Pallavas Dynasty.
History of Haryana
History of Haryana depicts various events and influences that have cast a profound effect on the culture and people of the district. The place gained statehood on 1st of November 1966
History of Odisha
History of Odisha goes back a rather long way. Most of the history of the state is replete with the dynastic as well as tribal struggle for territorial superiority. Odisha is a place where one can find the religion, culture and history flow in away that lead to cultural amalgamation of early India.
History of Manipur
History of Manipur can be traced back to the prehistoric ages and this was followed by a number of rulers who reigned the land from age to age till it came under British rule and later joined the union of India.
History of Gujarat
History of Gujarat can be dated back to the 14th century that later witnessed the supremacy of many powerful dynasties.
History of Tripura
History of Tripura is dealing with the early mythological history and the history of British rule in North eastern part of India.
History of Meghalaya
The history of Meghalaya predominantly comprises of the three tribes of the state- Garo, Khasi and Jaintia tribes. Later on Meghalaya was formed by carving out two districts from the state of Assam.
History of Chhattisgarh
History of Chhattisgarh dates back to the era of epics and traces through the reign of powerful dynasties in India like Marathas. The area developed a rich cultural heritage during British era.