The Arthashastra contains fifteen books which cover numerous topics that are of relevance even today: revolts and rebellions, structure of the state, consumer protection, salaries of government servants, property laws, labour laws, criminal investigations, the penal system, prevention of confederacies and oligarchies, the duties of the king, and a complete code of law, among others.
Protection of life and livelihood constituted, in that order, the elements of securing the welfare of the people. Disagreeing with earlier teachers, Kautilya points out that life was more important than livelihood. Even when a man’s property was attached by a decree in a civil suit, he was not to be deprived of the tools of his trade.
In the Kautilyan state, all forms of livelihood were protected, with no preferences with respect to the area of economic activity.
Protection of livelihood extended to protecting the major areas of economic activity. Herds of cattle from the depredations of thieves, wild animals, poisons, crocodiles and diseases.
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