Social Roles under Arthashastra with a Comparison with Manusmriti’s Take on Slavery

Social Roles under Arthashastra with a Comparison with Manusmriti’s Take on Slavery
📘 Glossary: Social Roles in Kautilya’s Arthashastra Role Definition in Arthashastra Key Points Amatya Minister or administrator Appointed based on merit and loyalty; critical to governance Dharma-Stha Judges Enforced civil & religious law; part of justice system Karmika Laborers or artisans Regulated work and wages; punishments for breach of contracts Kula Family or clan unit Unit of society; importance in lineage and inheritance Dasas (Slaves) Persons bound in service Acquired via war, punishment, debt, or voluntarily Mleccha Foreigners/non-Vedic people Generally outside varna system but protected under law Yoddha Soldier/warrior Received land or salary; bound by strict discipline Gopa & Sthanikas Local village & city officials Revenue collection and public order enforcement Prajapati Head of a village Responsible for census, tax collection, and order ⚖️ Comparison: Slavery in Arthashastra vs Manusmriti Aspect Arthashastra (Kautilya) Manusmriti (Manu) Origin of Slavery War, debt, punishment, birth, or volu…

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