Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c16.s1.t4: The Mantri-parishad in the days of Pushyamitra

Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c16.s1.t4

Language: English

The Mantri-parishad in the days of Pushyamitra

c16.s1.t4.1

Patañjali refers to the *Sabhā* of Pushyamitra. But it is uncertain as to whether the term refers to a Royal *Durbar*, a tribunal of justice, or a Council of Magnates. The existence of Councils or Assemblies of Ministers (*Mantri-Parishad*) is, however, vouched for by Kālidāsa. If the poet is to be believed the Council continued to be an important element of the governmental machinery. He gives us the valuable information that even viceregal princes were assited by *Parishads*.¹ The *Mālavikāgnimitram* refers in clear terms to the dealings of Prince Agnimitra, the Viceroy of Vidiśā (in Eastern Mālwa), with his *Parishad*:

c16.s1.t4.2

¹ Bühler (*Ep. Ind.* III. 137) points out that Aśoka's *Kumāras* were also each assisted by a body of *Mahāmātras*. These may have corresponded to the *Kumārāmātyas* of the Gupta period.

c16.s1.t4.3

"*Deva evam Amātya-parishado vijñāpayāmi*"²
"*Mantri-prishado' pyetad-eva darśanam*
*dvidhā vibhaktāṁ śriyam-udvahantau*
*dhuramṁ rathāśvāviva saṁgrahītuḥ*
*tau sthāsyatas-te nṛpater nideśe*
*paraspar-āvagraha-nirvikārau*"³

c16.s1.t4.4

² "King! I will announce this decision to the Council of Ministers."

c16.s1.t4.5

³ "This is also the view of the (Council of Ministers). Those two kings, upbearing the fortune of their superior lord divided between them, as the horses upbear the yoke of the charioteer, will remain firm in their allegiance to thee, not being distracted by mutual attacks." Act V, verse 14.

Cites (1)

Mālavikāgnimitra — Kālidāsa, Sanskrit