Kautilya's 'Arthashastra' Contains the First Written Account of Diamonds in History

by Angela Magnotti Andrews Though diamonds are found on every continent in the world, they first emerged in the society of men in Ancient India. Believed to have been discovered well before man could write such things down, the diamond's earliest days are lost in obscurity. Indian diamonds remained the only diamonds on the market until the 1800s, when the Kimberley Mines of South Africa were discovered. It makes sense, then, that our first glimpse of their integration into society would be found in the timeworn Indian tome, Arthashastra (transl. "The Lesson of Profit"). Written at some point between 320-296 BCE by Kautilya, a minister of the Chandragupta of the Mauryan dynasty in northern India, this account is considered by some to be a "pioneering work on statecraft in all its aspects" {1}. With detailed descriptions of the state's foreign policy, civil service regulations, law and justice, defense and war, and more, this incredible manuscript describes in great detail social, political, and economic precepts that its translator believes are relevant even in modern society {2}. In a section titled "Treasury, Sources of Revenue, Budget, Accounts and Audit," we discover an abundance of diamonds and a flourishing diamond trade in northern India, likely dating back several centuries. In his description of the duties of the Chief Controller of Mining and Metallurgy and those of The Chief Superintendent of Mines, Kautilya indicates that those in charge of mining and goldsmith operations were required to be well-versed not only in the practices of recovering and processing diamonds, but also in their characteristics and value. He writes in great detail about the locations where diamonds were found and how they were classified. After naming all the provinces in which diamonds were discovered, Kautilya writes, "Mines, streams, and other miscellaneous places are their sources. The colour of a diamond may be like that of a cat's eye, that of the flower of Sirisha (Acacia Sirisa), the urine of a cow, the bile of a cow, like alum (sphatika), the flower of Malati, or like that of any of the gems (described above)" {3}. He goes on to glorify those stones which are bulky, hefty, and hard, decrying those with malformations. He writes that those which are brilliant and reflective of light, as well as those which are useful for scratching vessels, are among the most desirable. In a section regarding procedures followed in the goldsmith's office, Kautilya's descriptions demonstrate India's booming business of trade in natural resources, including diamonds, rubies, pearls, corals, gold, silver, and more. Again, the state-appointed goldsmith was required to "have a thorough knowledge of the species, characteristics, colour, weight, and formation...of diamonds, precious stones..." {4}. He notes that 20 grains of rice were equal to 1 dharana of a diamond, and that tolls were collected on the production and sale of diamonds and other precious goods. This account, a treasure in its own right, tells us so much about the importance of diamonds in the industry and trade of northern India long ago. And it offers a unique glimpse into the value placed upon the diamond even before it's brilliance could be finely honed into the faceted masterpieces set in engagement rings around the world.

Notes

1. Kautilya, Kautilya. The Arthashastra. Ed. & Transl. by L.N. Rangarajan. UK: Penguin, 2000.
2. Ibid.
3. Kautilya. Arthashastra. Transl. R. Shamasastry. Bangalore: Government Press, 1915, 51-185. http://www.sdstate.edu/projectsouthasia/upload/Book-II-The-Duties-of-Government-Superintendents.pdf.
4. Ibid.