Kautilya treats the prison as a calibrated instrument of rule: inspect it, convert custody into compensation, and deploy timed clemency to strengthen legitimacy and internal security. Prisons require periodic viśodhana to prevent abuse, decay, and corruption. Confinement can be relaxed or remitted through regulated conversions—labor service, penalty substitution, or monetary composition. Clemency is strategically timed to major political/dynastic events (conquest, yuvarāja-abhiṣeka, birth of a son). The policy fuses daṇḍa (daily discipline) with prasāda (public mercy) to reduce congestion and reset social tensions. Effective carceral administration directly fortifies the durga limb and stabilizes the saptāṅga state.
Sutra 1
समाहर्तृवन्नागरिको नगरं चिन्तयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३६.०१ ॥
Like the Samāhartṛ, the Nāgarika (city superintendent) should continually assess and manage the city.
Sutra 2
दशकुलीं गोपो विंशतिकुलीं चत्वारिंशत्कुलीं वा ॥ कZ_०२.३६.०२ ॥
A gopa (local ward officer) should be assigned over ten families—or twenty families—or forty families.
Sutra 3
स तस्यां स्त्रीपुरुषाणां जातिगोत्रनामकर्मभिः जङ्घाग्रमायव्ययौ च विद्यात् ॥ कZ_०२.३६.०३ ॥
Within that unit, he should know the women and men by their social identity and lineage, names, and occupations—and also their movements on foot and their income and expenditure.
Sutra 4
एवं दुर्गचतुर्भागं स्थानिकश्चिन्तयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३६.०४ ॥
In the same manner, the Sthānika should continually assess and supervise the four sectors of the fortified city (durgacaturbhāga).
Sutra 5
धर्मावसथिनः पाषण्डिपथिकानावेद्य वासयेयुः स्वप्रत्ययाश्च तपस्विनः श्रोत्रियांश्च ॥ कZ_०२.३६.०५ ॥
Managers of religious lodging-houses shall accommodate sectarian mendicants (pāṣaṇḍin) and itinerants only after reporting them; likewise, ascetics and Vedic scholars (śrotriya) shall be lodged only when their identity and credentials are personally verified.
Sutra 6
कारुशिल्पिनः स्वकर्मस्थानेषु स्वजनं वासयेयुः वैदेहकाश्चान्योन्यं स्वकर्मस्थानेषु ॥ कZ_०२.३६.०६ ॥
Artisans and craftsmen shall house their own people within their respective work-localities; and the Vaidehakas shall likewise lodge one another within their designated work-areas.
Sutra 7
पण्यानामदेशकालविक्रेतारमस्वकरणं च निवेदयेयुः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.०७ ॥
They shall report those who sell goods at an improper place or time, and those acting without authorization/without proper compliance.
Sutra 8
शौण्डिकपाक्वमांसिकाउदनिकरूपाजीवाः परिज्ञातमावासयेयुः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.०८ ॥
Liquor-sellers, cooked-meat vendors, water-sellers, and those living by performance shall be lodged only in premises known and identified to the authorities.
Sutra 9
अतिव्ययकर्तारमत्याहितकर्माणं च निवेदयेयुः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.०९ ॥
They shall report persons who spend excessively and those engaged in highly suspicious or harmful acts.
Sutra 10
चिकित्सकः प्रच्छन्नव्रणप्रतीकारकारयितारमपथ्यकारिणं च गृहस्वामी च निवेद्य गोपस्थानिकयोर्मुच्येत अन्यथा तुल्यदोषः स्यात् ॥ कZ_०२.३६.१० ॥
A physician—and likewise a householder—shall report one who seeks treatment for concealed wounds and one who acts against prescribed regimen; by reporting, he is absolved before the gopa and sthānika authorities; otherwise, he incurs equal guilt.
Sutra 11
प्रस्थितागतौ च निवेदयेत् अन्यथा रात्रिदोषं भजेत ॥ कZ_०२.३६.११ ॥
Departures and arrivals shall be reported; otherwise one shall bear liability for offences occurring at night.
Sutra 12
क्षेमरात्रिषु त्रिपणं दद्यात् ॥ कZ_०२.३६.१२ ॥
For nights kept secure, a reward of three paṇas shall be paid.
Sutra 13
पथिकोत्पथिकाश्च बहिरन्तश्च नगरस्य देवगृहपुण्यस्थानवनश्मशानेषु सव्रणमनिष्टोपकरणमुद्भाण्डीकृतमाविग्नमतिस्वप्नमध्वक्लान्तमपूर्वं वा गृह्णीयुः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.१३ ॥
Travelers and by-travelers, outside and inside the city—at temples, holy places, forests, and cremation grounds—shall be apprehended if found with wounds, with objectionable implements, with goods made into a pack/bundle, in agitation, overly sleepy, exhausted from travel, or otherwise appearing unfamiliar.
Sutra 14
एवमभ्यन्तरे शून्यनिवेशावेशनशौण्डिकाउदनिकपाक्वमांसिकद्यूतपाषण्डावासेषु विचयं कुर्युः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.१४ ॥
In the same manner within the city, they shall conduct inspections/searches in vacant houses, lodging houses, liquor shops, water/food-service stalls, cooked-meat shops, gambling houses, and sectarian residences.
Sutra 15
अग्निप्रतीकारं च ग्रीष्मे ॥ कZ_०२.३६.१५ ॥
In summer, fire-prevention and fire-response measures shall be instituted.
Sutra 16
मध्यमयोरह्नश्चतुर्भागयोरष्टभागोऽग्निदण्डः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.१६ ॥
During the two middle quarters of the day, the “fire-penalty” (fire-watch levy) shall be one-eighth (of the assessed share).
Sutra 17
बहिरधिश्रयणं वा कुर्युः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.१७ ॥
Or they shall arrange cooking/hearth activity outside (the dwelling).
Sutra 18
पादः पञ्चघटीनां कुम्भद्रोणिनिह्श्रेणीपरशुशूर्पाङ्कुशकचग्रहणीदृतीनां चाकरणे ॥ कZ_०२.३६.१८ ॥
A quarter (penalty/share) applies for failing to keep ready: five water-pots; a kumbha and a droṇī (water-vessels/containers); a ladder; an axe; a winnowing-basket; a hook/goad; a rope/cord; a gripping device; and a leather water-bag.
Sutra 19
तृणकटच्छन्नान्यपनयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३६.१९ ॥
Thatched coverings of grass and reeds shall be removed.
Sutra 20
अग्निजीविन एकस्थान्वासयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३६.२० ॥
Those who live by fire (fire-using trades) shall be housed/settled in one designated area.
Sutra 21
स्वगृहप्रद्वारेषु गृहस्वामिनो वसेयुः असम्पातिनो रात्रौ ॥ कZ_०२.३६.२१ ॥
At night, householders shall stay at the front doors of their own houses, remaining vigilant and not negligent.
Sutra 22
रथ्यासु कुटव्रजाः सहस्रं तिष्ठेयुः चतुष्पथद्वारराजपरिग्रहेषु च ॥ कZ_०२.३६.२२ ॥
On the streets, squads/units (kuṭavrajāḥ) numbering a thousand shall be stationed—also at crossroads, gates, and in royal premises.
Sutra 23
प्रदीप्तमनभिधावतो गृहस्वामिनो द्वादशपणो दण्डः षट्पणोऽवक्रयिणः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.२३ ॥
If a householder does not run toward (and respond to) a fire when it is blazing, the fine is 12 paṇas; for one who shirks/evades duty, 6 paṇas.
Sutra 24
प्रमादाद्दीप्तेषु चतुष्पञ्चाशत्पणो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.२४ ॥
If, through negligence, fires are kindled or spread, the fine is 54 paṇas.
Sutra 25
प्रदीपिकोऽग्निना वध्यः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.२५ ॥
A person who sets (anything) on fire—an arsonist—is to be put to death by fire.
Sutra 26
पांसुन्यासे रथ्यायामष्टभागो दण्डः पङ्कोदकसम्निरोधे पादः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.२६ ॥
For dumping dust/refuse on the street, the fine is one-eighth (of a standard penalty unit); for obstructing the flow of mud and water, the fine is one-quarter.
Sutra 27
राजमार्गे द्विगुणः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.२७ ॥
On the king’s highway (main road), the penalty is doubled.
Sutra 28
पण्यस्थानोदकस्थानदेवगृहराजपरिग्रहेषु पणोत्तरा विष्टादण्डाः मूत्रेष्वर्धदण्डाः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.२८ ॥
In marketplaces, water-places, temples, and royal premises: for excrement (defilement) the fine is ‘a pana plus’ (paṇottara); for urination, half that penalty.
Sutra 29
भैषज्यव्याधिभयनिमित्तमदण्ड्याः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.२९ ॥
Those acting due to medical treatment, illness, or fear (as the cause) are not to be fined.
Sutra 30
मार्जारश्वनकुलसर्पप्रेतानां नगरस्यान्तरुत्सर्गे त्रिपणो दण्डः खरोष्ट्राश्वतराश्वप्रेतानां षट्पणः मनुष्यप्रेतानां पञ्चाशत्पणः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.३० ॥
For throwing carcasses within the city: of cats, dogs, mongooses, and snakes—the fine is 3 panas; of donkeys, camels, mules, and horses—6 panas; of human corpses—50 panas.
Sutra 31
मार्गविपर्यासे शवद्वारादन्यतश्च शवनिर्णयने पूर्वः साहसदण्डः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.३१ ॥
For deviating from the prescribed route, for taking (a corpse) through a gate other than the corpse-gate, and for disposing of a corpse otherwise than as determined: the “first” sāhasa-penalty applies.
Sutra 32
द्वाःस्थानां द्विशतम् ॥ कZ_०२.३६.३२ ॥
For the gatekeepers (stationed at the gates), the penalty is two hundred (paṇas).
Sutra 33
श्मशानादन्यत्र न्यासे दहने च द्वादशपणो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.३३ ॥
For depositing (a corpse) or cremating it anywhere other than the cremation-ground: the fine is 12 paṇas.
Sutra 34
विषण्णालिकमुभयतोरात्रं यामतूर्यम् ॥ कZ_०२.३६.३४ ॥
There shall be a “viṣaṇṇālikā” signal on both nights, and a watch-signal (yāma-tūrya) for each watch-period.
Sutra 35
तूर्यशब्दे राज्ञो गृहाभ्याशे सपादपणं अक्षणताडनं प्रथमपश्चिमयामिकं मध्यमयामिकं द्विगुणमन्तश्चतुर्गुणम् ॥ कZ_०२.३६.३५ ॥
At the sound of the alarm-instrument (tūrya), within the vicinity of the king’s residence, the fine is one and a quarter paṇas; for striking (another) without injury, the fine is graded by watch: in the first and last watch it is the base amount, in the middle watch it is double, and within (the inner/most restricted zone) it is fourfold.
Sutra 36
शङ्कनीये देशे लिङ्गे पूर्वापदाने च गृहीतमनुयुञ्जीत ॥ कZ_०२.३६.३६ ॥
A person apprehended should be interrogated with reference to (i) the suspicious place, (ii) identifying marks/evidence, and (iii) prior statements or antecedent accounts.
Sutra 37
राजपरिग्रहोपगमने नगररक्षारोहणे च मध्यमः साहसदण्डः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.३७ ॥
For entering upon the king’s enclosed/appropriated precinct (royal demesne) and for taking up (or intruding into) the city-guard post, the penalty is the ‘middle’ sāhasa fine.
Sutra 38
सूतिकाचिकित्सकप्रेतप्रदीपयाननागरिकतूर्यप्रेक्षाग्निनिमित्तं मुद्राभिश्चाग्राह्याः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.३८ ॥
Persons engaged in (i) maternity care, (ii) medical treatment, (iii) conveying/handling the dead, (iv) carrying lamps/lights, (v) travel/transport, (vi) official city business, (vii) sounding instruments/alarms, (viii) public spectacles, and (ix) fire-related contingencies—when bearing official seals (mudrā)—are not to be detained.
Sutra 39
चाररात्रिषु प्रच्छन्नविपरीतवेषाः प्रव्रजिता दण्डशस्त्रहस्ताश्च मनुष्या दोषतो दण्ड्याः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.३९ ॥
On nights of heightened surveillance/patrol (cāra-rātriṣu), persons in concealed or deceptive disguise, wandering mendicants, and those carrying staffs or weapons are punishable according to the gravity of their conduct.
Sutra 40
रक्षिणामवार्यं वारयतां वार्यं चावारयतां क्षणद्विगुणो दण्डः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.४० ॥
For guards: restraining what ought not to be restrained, and failing to restrain what ought to be restrained—there is a penalty doubled for each ‘moment’/instance (kṣaṇa-dviguṇa).
Sutra 41
स्त्रियं दासीमधिमेहयतां पूर्वः साहसदण्डः अदासीं मध्यमः कृतावरोधामुत्तमः कुलस्त्रियं वधः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.४१ ॥
For violating a female slave, the ‘lowest’ sāhasa fine applies; for a non-slave woman, the ‘middle’ sāhasa fine; for a woman kept under confinement/seclusion (i.e., where access is forcibly obstructed/controlled), the ‘highest’ sāhasa fine; for violating a respectable family woman (kulastrī), the penalty is death.
Sutra 42
चेतनाचेतनिकं रात्रिदोषमशंसतो नागरिकस्य दोषानुरूपो दण्डः प्रमादस्थाने च ॥ कZ_०२.३६.४२ ॥
If a night-time offence—whether intentional (by persons) or accidental (non-intentional)—is not reported, the city superintendent (nāgarika) is punished in proportion to the offence; likewise for negligence at known points of laxity (pramāda-sthāna).
Sutra 43
नित्यमुदकस्थानमार्गभ्रमच्छन्नपथवप्रप्राकाररक्षावेक्षणं नष्टप्रस्मृतापसृतानां च रक्षणम् ॥ कZ_०२.३६.४३ ॥
There should be daily inspection of water-sources, roads, confusing junctions/turnings, concealed paths, moats/embankments, walls, and guard arrangements; and protection for those who are lost, disoriented/forgetful, or who have strayed away.
Sutra 44
बन्धनागारे च बालवृद्धव्याधितानाथानां जातनक्षत्रपौर्णमासीषु विसर्गः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.४४ ॥
In the prison as well, children, the elderly, the sick, and those without support should be released (or granted leave) on birthdays/natal-star days and on full-moon days.
Sutra 45
पण्यशीलाः समयानुबद्धा वा दोषनिष्क्रयं दद्युः ॥ कZ_०२.३६.४५ ॥
Persons of commercial occupation, or those bound by a time contract, shall pay a compensatory fine (redemption) for the offence.
Sutra 46
कर्मणा कायदण्डेन हिरण्यानुग्रहेण वा ॥ कZ_०२.३६.४६च्द् ॥
Relief/release may be effected by compulsory work, by corporal punishment, or by monetary consideration (payment).
Sutra 47
पुत्रजन्मनि वा मोक्षो बन्धनस्य विधीयते ॥ कZ_०२.३६.४७च्द् ॥
Or, on the birth of a son, release from confinement is ordained.
Reduced custodial abuse and disorder, healthier detention conditions, lower risk of riots/escape, and increased public confidence that royal daṇḍa is regulated rather than arbitrary—strengthening internal security and legitimacy.
While this extract does not specify a penalty, Kautilya’s administrative logic implies liability of custodial officials for negligence or cruelty: fines, dismissal, and punitive daṇḍa proportional to harm caused (especially if unlawful suffering, death, or escape results from failure to inspect/maintain bandhanasthāna).