Indians, should read this and also share it widely. It helps to dispel some of the lies spread in our society today. Educators should work to bring this fact in history books, so Indians feel proud and get correct picture of our society.
"Indica" is the book written by Megasthenese, the greek ambassdor to India around 300 BC. The book is lost, but various other authors quote his book . Another book with the same name, Indica by Arrian survives. Note the book is written as a military journal to know the country, hence the data has to be as "factual" as possible, to avoid errors in costly military strategies. Also it is an addendum (not the main subject) written as part of Alexanders conquest. As the main objective was on alexander, there is no reason to fudge data about India. Alexander turned back from India after his peace treaty with porus (As porus was re-instated, it is a definite peace). Victor usually writes history for his advantage. As there is no victory or loss, as far as India is considered during Alexanders conquest, the history recorded can be considered at best as a neutral and third party observation without any bias.
Purpose of writing Indica by Arrian:-
Military observation about India:-
(The published copy of Arrian book can be downloaded from US source at https://ia801602.us.archive.org/6/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.283258/2015.283258.The-Indica.pdf)
(Another book that documents fragments of Megasthenese can be downloaded at
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/gdc/scd0001/2004/20040416001in/20040416001in.pdf)
Important points in the book are
1) No Indian ever went outside his own country on a warlike expedition, so righteous were they.
Why Indians did not invade is clearly explained..(A Sense of justice (Sarve jana sukino bahatu!) prevented any Indian king from attempting conquest! A conquest is a normal thing when a king becomes powerful. A king was prevented, only because, he was bound by the court, which was democratically representing society. So king could not push his wish. The society was influenced by "saints" who were in pursuit of "Happiness & God". This proves, how checks and balances kept Indian society in greatest of the civilian order.
< Indians/Hindus never tried to conquer other lands by force>
2) This also is remarkable in India, that all Indians are free, and no Indian at all is a slave.
<Humanity is enforced since 1000's of years. This is not seen in any other country>
3) After several years, the royal rule was replaced by democratic city states, although there existed a few kings when Alexander invaded India.
<Why India is not called the "Oldest Democracy/Republic"? Is this not a sufficient proof?>
4) The Indian warriors regard those engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry as sacred. Unlike the warriors in other countries, they do not ravage farms during war conquests. Moreover, the warring sides never destroy the enemy land with fire or cut down its trees.
<No destruction, even in war. Labour and food was respected by both sides, as they have to manage people post war. So noble>
5) The Indians generally are divided into seven castes, the wise men (Brahmins), farmers, herdsmen , artisans, soldiers, over lookers, and government officials including army and navy officers.
<This Bust the myth of caste-ism that the leftist talk today. Note there were only 7 classification>
A) Brahmins -> Neither masters, nor servants, Exempted from all public duties, Engaged by others to offer sacrifices and perform funerary rites, for which they received valuable gifts and privileges. At the beginning of the year, they make prophecies. A philosopher whose prophecy fails receives strong criticism and has to observe silence for the rest of his life, but otherwise incurs no penalty.
<Note, Brahmins were acknowledged as priestly class but were not in a position to make rules (like exploiting shudras, as it is made out today). Also No punishment to Brahmins and are exempted from public duty, like labour and war. This is what, Indian accounts also say about Brahmins>
B) Farmers/ Husbandsmen -> Most numerous of all castes, Exempted from fighting and other public duties. Regarded as public benefactors, and protected from damage during wars, even by enemy warriors. Pay a land tribute to the ruler, the official land owner (Property tax). In addition, they remit 1/4th of their produce to the state treasury
<Tax capped at 25%, unlike todays 35-80% by modern Govts>
C) Herders -> Animal husbandry is treated as sacred. Hunt and trap crop-destroying birds and animals.
<Note, they were hunting animals that were engaged in damage to human habitat. They were raising animals normally. So noble and clear>
D) Artisans & Traders (Vysya) -> Create weapons as well as tools for farmers and others. People engaged in military service were exempted from paying taxes, and instead receive a maintenance from the state exchequer
<Artisans were supported by Govt. for the service provided to military. The life of artisans was secured. Traders/Vysyas held money power, but no support from public (man power) and no muscle power. So, they were not in a position to "Legislate".>
E) Military (Kshatriya) -> Second most numerous among the castes, Indulge in amusements and idleness during peaceful times, maintained at state expense, along with war horses and elephants
<Army is used in peace times too. Maintained by govt. Powerful physically, but no role in making rules>
D) Overseers -> Carry out administrative tasks.
<Note, Brahmins (as deemed today) were not the only people in administrative role. Any educated person or talented to supervise was inducted in administration. Education, sincerity & trust were main criteria, rather than their birth sect.>
F) Councilors and Judicial Assessors (Legislators) - Composed of wise people with good character,Deliberate on public affairs; included the royal advisers, state treasurers, dispute arbitrators; the army generals and chief magistrates also usually belonged to this class, Least numerous, but most respected.
< This class was derived from all other communities based on talent. A body of intellects. They were small, no physical power, money power or people power. So, they cannot gang up and exploit others. They act as balancing power for other sects (Intellectualism of brahmins, money power of vysyas, Muscle power of Kshatrias and manpower of artisans and farmers). This is the democratic body>
The rule of caste is clearly explained in below passage. We can clearly see that, caste was used as "profession" and not a "jati". As profession was continued in hereditary style, it is equated as "jati" by birth. Note how, trade and caste (7 classification) were coming here to explain the context of rules. Infact caste was not related to religion at all. It is just a social stratification for division of labour (like a profession today).
It also tells about marriage within a caste/trade. Note, no dowry system, another feather of civilian society.
The division is so perfect. It was not possible for one group to dominate all others and exploit. The "perfect division" means, optimization & rationalization of resources, labor and benefits. The optimization reduces burden and enables low cost in manufacture, enabling competitiveness of the country. That is why India dominated world trade. Note, this is what greeks learned from India 1000's of years back. Unfortunately, our children are not learning this today.
The book busts "Manuvaadi/Brahminical/Castiest/vedic" theories of cast in India If manu has prescribed, 4 castes (Brahmin/Kshatriya/Vysya/Shudra), why there were 7 classification practiced in society? Another important point is, the caste system survived the entire history of India. The argument is simple, every parents desires a bright future for their children. If cast system in India was exploitative, it would not have survived from vedic age to Britishers, as farmers son would not continued to farm & a soldiers son would not continued to be a soldier. It is not rewarding now (after Britishers, as they altered the dynamics), as farmers, soldiers,artisans, Brahmin's do not want their children to continue the traditional profession. The reward in Indian society was not at all materialistic/financial in nature. The reward for a labor was expected to be "deriving satisfaction in doing a karma". It was more to do with meeting ones objective in life to derive "Happiness". Since family profession was giving more meaning and rewarding to individuals, the entire family, relatives, sect and society encouraged individuals to pick up the family trade. As India was a free society, nobody was forced in to a profession. This is true, as Megasthanese, clearly indicates no slaves and no forced labor in Indian society.
Actually the grouping has not changed much. Just look at the classification with modern names:-
A) Brahmins(non-profit group):- Journalists (not media barrons), Strategists, People in Religious bodies (not just hindu, but all religions), NGO's, Artisits (like musicians, painters, architects), scientists, teachers
B) Farmers: - Farmers
C) Herders:- Animal Husbandry, part of farmer community only
D) Artisans :- Industrialists (non govt), Workers (both blue & white color workers, not in higher management), Medical professionals, Engineers
E) Military:- Military, Police & Special forces
F) Overseers :- Govt Workers, Administrators & Traders
G) Councilors & Judicial Assessors (Politicos & capitalists): Politicians, Investors, Barrons, Land lords, Mafia dons, Celebrities (sports & Cinema), Pseudo Intellectuals, Judges and all elites (VIP, VVIP and HNI's)
Brahmins or "non-profit group" is the one that should be exempted from taxation. All other group is taxed (As they work for profit/income). This is the real meaning of Brahminic division. Another important point is land ownership. "Ruler/state" was true owner of land. Only tenancy rights was alloted. So, no land disputes, and no jamindari exploitations. Britishers altered this equation, so that private citizens could hold "land ownership" paving the path for land grabbing and hoarding of land. This is the root cause for corruption in the country.
Note, how, scope of group "G" is altered. What was a body with "talents" was replaced by vested interests. People with at least "one power" (muscle, men, money and intellectuals) can join the gang to gang up against the rest. This collusion allows exploitation of all other groups. Note how, incompetence is creeping in the societal order, increasing burden on people. The burden also means increased cost, enabling downfall of our country. Britishers employed this trick first in killing cotton industry of India. They levied heavy taxes and started disrupting the labor force. Indian hegemony in world economics nose dived from that point.
To regain the "Leadership position", Indians should think of correcting "group G" again. It will set the social order back to optimal point. The optimal point will reduce the peoples burden and solve peoples problem. Most of the litigations are land disputes. If that is solved, huge burden & liability on Indian citizens gets solved. It will unlock the black money hoarded there for industrial development. This is the learning we should get from "True History" documented in Megasthanese "Indica".
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