Adulteration In Kautilya's Upanishhastra

In Ancient India, VEDAS were considered the words emanating from the mouth of God himself and were considered the supreme and sacred injunctions governing supposedly the entire society during the ancient period. It has been to learn the law from the letter of ‘Vedas’ and ‘Upanishads’, the law could be easily ascertained by following indications available there in abundance, either in the form of positive Vidhis or negative Nishedhas injunctions. To quote only a few: (i) Tell the truth, (ii) Never tell the untruth, (iii) Never hurt anyone and (iv) Perform the acts which are not forbidden. An introspection to these ancient literature reveals various commands/dictates/ injunctions/prescriptions regulating different aspects of trade and activities

Similarly YAJANVALKYA had also given views on weights and measures in Yajnvalkya-Samhita. The provision about adulteration in Arth-Shastra have been also made. Manu Smriti contains the views on adulteration and punishment therefore. YAJANVALKYA expresses his views of adulteration.

Main provisions of “YAJNAVALKYA-SAMHITA” are with regard to transaction of sale and purchase. “YAJANAVALKYA” took into account such hard conditions and framed rules for the protection of purchaser providing him some time to judge the utility of purchased goods and permitting him to return the goods in case the goods were found unsuitable to his needs. The sale of sample is also regulated by “YAJNAVALKYA” when he provided punishment to the trader who deceived a purchaser by showing a different article and changing it subsequently at the time of sale or delivery.

In “YAJNAVALKYA SAMHITHA” one finds elaborate mechanism regarding pricing - policy, and profit - ratio charged by the traders on the sold goods.

Principle of caveat emptor and breach of warranty is the modern principle of law applicable in sale of goods - Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware) - finds place in

As per the Arthshastra of Kautilya, It was the duty of Superintendents to put the Government product in the market under favorable conditions and to supervise their sales at reasonably rates. Businessmen who cheated or interfered generally with the normal functioning of the market prices were open to heavy punishment. Similarly, Narada and Brahaspati have also laid down numerous laws and regulations to safeguard the interest of buyers and sellers. Alike Mahatma Gandhi attached great importance to what he described as “Poor Consumer” who according to him, should be the principal beneficiary of the consumer