State and Government in Ancient India c13.120

c13.120

The Central Assembly must have elected the members of the Executive Council. Whether the election could be made from among the members of a few leading families, or whether anybody could offer himself as a candidate, we do not know. Gradually in the course of time, the posts of the councillors became more or less hereditary, though a formal election was probably necessary before the son could succeed the father. The family of Śrīsoma, who succeeded in recovering the independence of the Mālavas, was at the head of its executive and military affairs at least for three generations.² The *Arthaśāstra* shows that the sons of councillors, if not permitted to succeed to the posts of their fathers, would often create commotion in the body politic by joining the enemy. Among some republics, like those of the Lichchhavis and the Yaudheyas, the councillors were given regal title. The Mālavas however, did not permit this procedure; even the great leader, who re-established their independence in *c.* 225 A. D. is seen not to take any royal titles in the document of the official proclamation of his victory.