Page:Indian Shipping, a history of the sea-borne trade and maritime activity of the Indians from the earliest times.djvu/164

 a heavy load forded a river at an unusual place and time.

We now have some idea of the organization of the Naval Department, the development of the national shipping, and the abounding commercial life in the India of the Mauryas. All this no doubt was due to the vast extent of the empire founded by Chandra Gupta that extended over the whole of Northern India from sea to sea, including even the provinces of the Paropanisadai, Aria, and Arachosia, beyond the modern frontiers of British India. The alliance of such a powerful emperor was courted even by the potentates of the Hellenistic world of his time. The consequence of this vast and varied realm was no doubt the constant stream of visitors, travellers, and envoys to and from India, and the resulting growth of elaborate regulations for their care and entertainment which were framed by the municipal commission under Chandra Gupta. "All foreigners were closely watched by officials, who provided suitable lodgings, escorts, and, in case of need, medical attendance." As Mr. Vincent Smith remarks, "the existence of these elaborate regulations is conclusive proof that the Maurya Empire in the 3rd century was in