<Ol> <Li> Philosophers <Ul> <Li> Not numerous compared to other castes, but most prominent </Li> <Li> Exempted from all public duties </Li> <Li> Neither masters, nor servants </Li> <Li> "believed to be most dear to the gods, and to be the most conversant with matters pertaining to Hades" </Li> <Li> Engaged by others to offer sacrifices and perform funerary rites, for which they received valuable gifts and privileges </Li> <Li> At the beginning of the year, they make prophecies about droughts, rain storms, propitious winds, diseases and other topics . Based on these prophecies, the citizens and the rulers make adequate preparations . A philosopher whose prophecy fails receives strong criticism and has to observe silence for the rest of his life, but otherwise incurs no penalty . </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Farmers <Ul> <Li> Most numerous of all castes </Li> <Li> Live in villages, and avoid visiting towns </Li> <Li> Exempted from fighting and other public duties </Li> <Li> Regarded as public benefactors, and protected from damage during wars, even by enemy warriors </Li> <Li> Pay a land tribute to the ruler, the official land owner </Li> <Li> In addition, they remit 1 / 4th of their produce to the state treasury </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Herders <Ul> <Li> Live in tents, outside villages and towns </Li> <Li> Hunt and trap crop - destroying birds and animals </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Artisans <Ul> <Li> Create weapons as well as tools for farmers and others </Li> <Li> Exempted from paying taxes, and receive a maintenance from the state exchequer </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Military <Ul> <Li> Second most numerous among the castes </Li> <Li> Well - organized and equipped for war </Li> <Li> Indulge in amusements and idleness during peaceful times </Li> <Li> Maintained at state expense, along with war horses and elephants </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Overseers <Ul> <Li> Carry out administrative tasks </Li> <Li> Report to the king or (in states not ruled by kings) magistrates </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Councillors and Assessors <Ul> <Li> Composed of wise people with good character </Li> <Li> Deliberate on public affairs; included the royal advisers, state treasurers, dispute arbitrators; the army generals and chief magistrates also usually belonged to this class . </Li> <Li> Least numerous, but most respected </Li> </Ul> </Li> </Ol> <Li> Philosophers <Ul> <Li> Not numerous compared to other castes, but most prominent </Li> <Li> Exempted from all public duties </Li> <Li> Neither masters, nor servants </Li> <Li> "believed to be most dear to the gods, and to be the most conversant with matters pertaining to Hades" </Li> <Li> Engaged by others to offer sacrifices and perform funerary rites, for which they received valuable gifts and privileges </Li> <Li> At the beginning of the year, they make prophecies about droughts, rain storms, propitious winds, diseases and other topics . Based on these prophecies, the citizens and the rulers make adequate preparations . A philosopher whose prophecy fails receives strong criticism and has to observe silence for the rest of his life, but otherwise incurs no penalty . </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Ul> <Li> Not numerous compared to other castes, but most prominent </Li> <Li> Exempted from all public duties </Li> <Li> Neither masters, nor servants </Li> <Li> "believed to be most dear to the gods, and to be the most conversant with matters pertaining to Hades" </Li> <Li> Engaged by others to offer sacrifices and perform funerary rites, for which they received valuable gifts and privileges </Li> <Li> At the beginning of the year, they make prophecies about droughts, rain storms, propitious winds, diseases and other topics . Based on these prophecies, the citizens and the rulers make adequate preparations . A philosopher whose prophecy fails receives strong criticism and has to observe silence for the rest of his life, but otherwise incurs no penalty . </Li> </Ul> <Li> Not numerous compared to other castes, but most prominent </Li>

What was the official law book of gupta dynasty