Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c11.s34.3

c11.s34.3

The issue of oral orders by the king to be recorded and executed by ministers and other officials was an abiding feature of Indian polity; the continuous interest in the execution of such orders evinced by Aśoka was peculiar to him. The *parishā* (Council) of the Edicts is clearly the *mantri-parishad* of the *Arthaśāstra*¹; but neither from the Edicts nor from the *Arthaśāstra* do we get a complete picture of its composition and duties.