The king was to treat his subjects like his own sons and daughters and was, therefore, to undertake various public welfare schemes. The ‘Department of Road’ constructed, repaired, and maintained national highways and other important roads. Trees were planted and wells were dug by the sides of the road. Rules for the correct width of different roads were laid down.
Thus the cattle tracks and paths for pedestrians were 1 to 2 metres wide, the roads for chariots and other wheeled traffic were 10 metres wide, and the trunk roads were 20 metres wide. Important roads were paved with stones or the trunks of palm trees; villages had only dirt roads. Milestones and signboards were set up at frequent intervals to indicate the byways, turning points and distances.
Resting places like dharamshalas and inns were constructed at important sites where food for men and fodder for the animals were provided at reasonable cost. The traders, tourists, government officials, members of the defence forces-all could enjoy these facilities.
Drinking water facilities (wells, canals, lakes, reservoirs, etc.) and hospitals were provided for men and animals. Schools and colleges, temples and other religious buildings, bridges and dams, market places and trade centres, resting places, alms houses, etc. were some of the many public utility buildings constructed by the Slate. Some other public welfare activities, which enjoyed the patronage of the king, have been discussed under the heading ‘Expenditure’.
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Irrigation:
There was a full-fledged department which looked after irrigation activities throughout the State. The land to be irrigated was measured and water for irrigation was supplied through a network of canals. Construction and maintenance of wells, canals, reservoirs, lakes and other sources of water was the duty of the State.
The most famous ‘Sudarshan Lake’ at Girnar in Gujarat was constructed by Pushyagupta, the provincial Governor of Chandragupta Maurya. This lake was provided with supplementary channels by Tushaspa, the Governor in the days of Asoka.
Census:
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Both Megasthenes and Kautilya inform us that there was a regular department of Census, and each birth and death was properly recorded in the register. This is probably the first mention of census in the world. Such detailed information about the people must have facilitated the levying of taxes and maintenance of law and order.
It was easy to know the number of farmers, cowherds, traders, etc., or the persons of different caste, religion or creed along with their profession, income and so on. The Census Officer of the cities was called nagaraka.
A register of immigration and emigration of foreign travellers, traders, or students was maintained and they were provided all help. A list of persons having doubtful character and antecedents was maintained. Such records must have served as the most reliable index of the living standards and development of the people.
Public Health:
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Hospitals for men and animals were set up at all important places. Physicians, surgeons equipped with surgical tools, nurses, midwives, persons skilled in detecting poison, etc were posted in such hospitals. The treatment was universally free. Foreign travellers were looked after very well, nursed tenderly when they fell sick and buried respectfully, if they died.
Postmortem was done in doubtful cases to determine the cause of death. Some otts were appended to prevent the dead body from decomposition for some time. Adulteration was a serious offence and punishable with death. The streets were kept clean, and there were separate places for dumping rubbish or throwing animal carcasses.