Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c15.s1.t4.3

c15.s1.t4.3

Secondly, Aśoka created a number of new posts, *e.g.*, *Dharma-mahāmātras* and possibly *Dharma-Yutas*.² The *Dharma-mahāmātras* were given a protective mission among people of all sects including the Brāhmaṇas and the Nirgranthas or Jainas, and among the Yavanas, Kambojas, Gandhāras, Riṣṭikas and all the Aparāntas. "Among servants and masters, Brāhmaṇas and the wealthy(*Ibhyas*),¹ among the helpless and the aged, they are employed in freeing from worldly cares their subordinates (in the department) of the Law of Piety. They are also employed on the revision (of sentences of) imprisonment or execution, in the reduction of penalties, or (the grant of) release, on the grounds of motive, having children, instigation, or advanced years...At Pāṭaliputra and in all provincial (*bāhira*) towns, in the family establishments of the king's brothers and sisters, as well as of other relatives, they are everywhere employed." The *Dharma-mahāmātras* were further engaged everywhere in the imperial dominions (*vijita*) or indeed in the whole world (*Pṛithivī*) as known to the Mauryas, among the *Dharma-yutas* with regard to "the concerns of the Law, the establishment of the Law, and the business of almsgiving." The border countries (*deśa*) were placed under the special care of the *Āvutikas*.²