Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c11.s8: Ministers and Council

Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c11.s8

Language: English

Ministers and Council

c11.s8.1

The king was assisted by a number of ministers, the *purohita* being in a separate and highly respected category by himself; the ministers were generally men of proved ability and character. There was no hard and fast rule regarding their numbers at any time, and they often met in council for transacting public business, and in cases of difference in views decisions were taken by majority of votes. Ministers who were absent from the court were sometimes consulted by letter. The king considered himself free to consult a single minister, or a number of them, or the whole council according to the requirements of the subject on hand.¹

c11.s8.2

¹ *Ibid.* I. 15.

Linked texts (1)

Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit