Page:History of India Vol 2.djvu/153

 GENERAL CONTROL AND SUPERVISION 123 than before by order of the local Saka Satrap Rudrada- man, who has recorded the history of the work in an inscription which is the only known epigraphic record containing the names of Chandragupta and Asoka Maurya. Notwithstanding the triple strength of Rudra- daman's masonry, it, too, failed to withstand the fury of the elements, and the dam again burst at some time unknown. The lake thus finally disappeared, and its site, buried in deep jungle, was so utterly forgotten that modern local inquirers have experienced difficulty in ascertaining its exact position. The fact that so much pains and expense were lav- ished upon this irrigation work in a remote dependency of the empire is conclusive evidence that the provision of water for the fields was recognized as an imperative duty by the great Maurya emperors, and is a strik- ing illustration of the accuracy of Megasthenes' remark that imperial officers were wont to " measure the land, as in Egypt, and inspect the sluices by which water is distributed into the branch canals, so that every one may enjoy his fair share of the benefit." The central government, by means of local officers, exercised strict control and maintained close super- vision over all classes and castes of the population. Even the Brahman astrologers, soothsayers, and sac- rificial priests, whom Megasthenes erroneously de- scribed as forming a separate caste of " philosophers ' or " sophists," received their share of official attention, and were rewarded or punished according as their pre- dictions and observations proved correct or mistaken.