Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c9.s10.147

c9.s10.147

The existence of a Royal Council (*Sabhā*) is clearly suggested by references to *sabhāsads* in Vedic texts, particularly in connection with king Marutta Āvikshita.² In the *Rāmāyaṇa*³ the *sabhā* is clearly a body in which the *Rājakartṛis* have a place along with the *amātyas* and the *Rājapurohita* (royal chaplain). The claim of the ministers and headmen to be consulted is recognised in Pāli texts while dealing with the period down to the time of Bimbisāra. The *Mahāvagga* says, “King Brahmadatta of Kasi, O Bhikkhus, having entered Benares, convoked his ministers and counsellors (*Amacce Pārisajje sannipātāpetvā*)⁴ and said to them: ‘If you should see, my good sirs, young Dīghāvu, the son of king Dīghīti of Kosala, what would you do to him?’” The *Mahā assāroha Jātaka*⁵ refers to a king who by beat of drum through the city gathered together his councillors (*amachcha, amātya*). The *Chulla-Sutasoma Jātaka* refers to the eighty thousand councillors of a king headed by his general,¹ (*Senāpati pamukhāni asītī amachcha sahassāni*). The power of councillors (*amātyas*) to depose a prince and elect a king is recognised in the *Pādañjali*, *Saṁvara*, and *Sonaka Jātakas* respectively. There is evidence regarding special gemots of village headmen. We are told that "when Seṇiya Bimbisāra, the king of Magadha, was holding an assembly of the eighty thousand Grāmikas (Village headmen) he sent message to Soṇa Kolivisa."²