Arthashastra — Adhyakshaprachara, Sutra 3

Devanagari script

मत्स्यबन्धका नौकाभाटकं षड्भागं दद्युः ॥ कZ_०२.२८.०३ ॥

Transliteration

matsyabandhakā naukābhāṭakaṃ ṣaḍbhāgaṃ dadyuḥ

Translation

渔民应缴纳船只租用费，按六分之一计。

Word by Word

• मत्स्यबन्धकाः: fish-catchers / fishermen
• Type: Noun
• Root: बन्धक (from √बन्ध्) with मत्स्य-
• Form: प्रथमा-बहुवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; मत्स्यानां बन्धकाः = मत्स्यबन्धकाः

• नौकाभाटकम्: boat-hire fee / boat rent
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाटक (from √भट्/भट्?; lexical: भाटक = hire/wage) with नौका-
• Form: द्वितीया-एकवचनम्, नपुंसकलिङ्गः; नौकायाः भाटकम् = नौकाभाटकम्

• षड्भागम्: one-sixth share
• Type: Noun
• Root: भाग
• Form: द्वितीया-एकवचनम्, पुंलिङ्गः; षण्णां भागः = षड्भागः (one-sixth share)

• दद्युः: should give / should pay
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दा (दाने)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, बहुवचनम्; ‘they should give/pay’

Entities Mentioned

• fishermen

More Details

FAQs

Is this a tax on fish or on transport?

The wording targets boat-hire (naukābhāṭaka), i.e., a transport/usage fee connected to fishing activity.