Baheliya Saviour In Arthshashtra


Arthshashtra is a compilation by Kautilya regulating worldly affairs on politics, economics and military planning. It explains in detail step by step political structure to be followed by the King and discusses the role of different people in the country.

It is not restricted to political and economic aspect only rather also discusses defence preparedness and conduct during warfare.

In its different parts and chapters it thoroughly mentions the hunting communities and gives them duties towards king, puts them in the role of saviours from foriegn enemies, thieves, dacoits and even from wild animals. We will mention certain duties depicted for Baheliya hunters in Arthshashtra. They are as follows-

It states that with a view of acquiring efficiency in the skill of shooting arrows at moving objects, king shall engage himself in sports in such
forests as are cleared by hunters and hound-keepers from the fear of high-way-robbers, snakes, and enemies.

There shall be constructed in the extremities of the kingdom forts manned by boundary-guards (antapála) whose duty shall be to guard the entrances into the kingdom. The interior of the kingdom shall be watched by trap-keepers (vágurika), archers (sábara), hunters (pulinda), chandálas, and wild tribes
(aranyachára).

Cowherds shall apply remedies to calves or aged cows or cows suffering from diseases. They shall graze the herds in forests which are severally
allotted as pasture grounds for various seasons and from which thieves, tigers and other molesting beasts are driven away by hunters aided by their hounds.

Hunters with their hounds shall reconnoitre forests. At the approach of thieves or enemies, they shall so hide themselves by ascending trees or mountains as to escape from the thieves, and blow conch-shells or beat drums. As to the movements of enemies or wild tribes, they may send information by flying the pigeons of royal household with passes (mudrá) or causing fire and smoke at successive distances. It shall be his duty to protect timber and elephant forests, to keep roads in good repair, to arrest thieves, to secure the safety of
mercantile traffic, to protect cows, and to conduct the transaction of the people.

Baheliya hunters were expected to save people from wild animals also. In order to destroy tigers, either the carcasses of cattle mixed with the juice of madana plant, or the carcasses of calves filled with the juice of madana and kodrava plants may be thrown in suitable places. Or hunters or keepers of hounds may catch tigers by entrapping them in nets. Or persons under the protection of armour
may kill tigers with arms.

Negligence to rescue a person under the clutches of a tiger shall be punished with a fine of 12 panas. Similar sum of money
shall be given as a reward to him who kills a tiger.

On new and full moon days mountains may be worshipped. Similar measures may be taken against the inroad of beasts,birds, or crocodiles.

Even during the time of wars, Baheliya hunters had an important role to play. The structure of defence is stated as follows: In the first (of four divisions), the prime minister and the priest (should have their quarters); to its right the store-house and the kitchen: to its left the store of raw products and weapons; in the second division the quarters of the hereditary army and of horses and chariots: outside this, Baheliya hunters and keepers of dogs with their trumpets and with fire; also spies and sentinels; also, to prevent the attack of enemies, wells, mounds and thorns should be arranged.

Above content clearly shows that Baheliya hunters were used for defensive purposes against external enemies and even from internal threats like thieves,  robbers , wild animals. Bahelias were dutybound to protect cow herds and domestic animals also. Bahelias have  a great history acting as saviours of society either as hunters or soldiers and therefore government needs to make special policy to save the community from extinction, opening doors for their development.

By - Ashutosh Kumar 


Reference

1.  Kautilya. Arthashastra. Translated by R. Shamasastry. Bangalore: Government Press, 1915

2.  Shri Vachaspati Gairola, Arthshashtra of Kautilya and The Canakya Sutra, 3rd Ed., 1984

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