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22 revenue collectors (bhagadugh), and other accessories of an established government. Honesty in mercantile transactions is referred to in Rig Veda, iii. 6, wherein also are mentioned stone-built cities. Other references might be given representing the Vedic Aryan as well versed in war and politics, bright, clever, merciful, righteous and devoted to the protection of his family. Some Western scholars have hazarded an opinion that the Vedic Aryans were not acquainted with the art of writing;. But this statement is not supported by evidence. On the contrary, we meet both in the Rig Veda and the Yajur Veda with such expressions as likhitam (written), khurbhuj (pen), vacham pashyan (seeing the words, i.e., reading) and so forth. The religion and philosophy inculcated in the Veda are acknowledged to be of the sublimest character. All this unmistakably proves that the Aryans were the most enlightened race in the dawn of history. Such a state of civilisation, which exercises a potent influence on Indian society even to this date, could not have been attained in a day. It must have required a long course of training, and must take the nation back to the remotest antiquity. When the state of civilisation was so