The Mauryan State itself was a vast industrial and trading concern and employed in its service vast numbers of artisans and merchants. Hence the State had to control its entire trade to safeguard its own interests.
Regulating the relations between State concerns and private enterprise was a delicate task and the Arthashastra gives clear evidence that the Mauryan State performed this task with considerable success.
It is impossible to give here details of the provisions for regulating trade. To mention a few: every trader had to get licence for sale. The Superintendent of Commerce fixed the wholesale prices of goods allowing a margin of profit for the retailer. Smuggling and adulteration of goods were severely punished. Speculation and hoarding to influence prices were not allowed. There was State control of weights and measures.
Trade was taxed all along the way by export and import duties, octroi and excise. If trade was thus strictly regulated and taxed, there was adequate compensation in the protection assured to it by the State. The transit was to be made good by the government. Artisans and craftsmen were specially protected by the State and offences against them were severely punished.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Ship-building:
It was known to the Indians in the pre- Mauryan period. Alexander on his return journey was supplied with a large number of boats and ships by the Indians. Strabo writes that the Mauryans maintained ship building as a State monopoly. The ships of those times were large enough to accommodate hundreds of passengers. The Pali bolos mention shore-sighting birds’ used when ship’s location became doubtful.