State and Government in Ancient India c15.151

c15.151

Smṛitis prefer that ministerial appointments should normally go to Brāhmaṇas. How far such was actually the case, we do not know. Epigraphs do not refer to the castes of the ministers mentioned in them. It is, however, likely that most of the castes and interests were represented on the ministry. According to the *Mahābhārata*, the Privy Council of the king was to consist of only four Brāhmaṇas, but eight Kshattriyas, twenty one Vaiśyas and three Śūdras.³ Śukra states that it is only on the occasion of dinner and marriage that one should enquire about the caste, not when making appointments to the ministry.⁴ Somadeva recommends that the ministers should be selected from all the three regenerate castes⁵ and Śukra has no objection to the military portfolio being under a Śūdra, if he is capable and loyal.⁶ Majority of kings in ancient India were non-Brāhmaṇas, and it is very likely that the same was the case with the majority of their ministers, exspecially because they were also expected to be military leaders.