Consumerism in India is as old as trade and commerce. In Kautilya’s Arthashastra,
there are references to the concept of consumer protection against exploitation such as
through the manipulation of weights and measures, and adulteration. The same book also
provides for the punishment for these offences.5 Chapter II, “The Removal of Thorns” in
Book IV, of Kautilya’s Arthashastra deals with consumer protection against merchants in
depth. 6 When a trader sells or mortgages inferior commodities by misrepresenting them as superior ones, or adulterates grains, oils, salts, scents, and medical articles with similar articles of lower quality, the said trader is not only to be punished with a fine but also be compelled to make good the loss.