[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [State and Government in Ancient India](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949) › c15.166 # State and Government in Ancient India c15.166 State and Government in Ancient India c15.166 - **Language:** English ### [c15.166](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c15.166) Cases above referred to were, however, unusual. Normally kings had a high regard for their ministers and the latter were loyal to them; they also regarded themselves as trustees of the interest of the people. Ministers were the pillars of the state⁵ and normally the kings used to accept their advice, though the ultimate responsibility rested with the crown.¹ It was the first and foremost duty of the minister to control the king and to see that he did not follow the wrong path.² They are the real friends of the king, says Kāmandaka, who prevent him from following a dangerous path.³ Ministers, worth their name, must inspire the king with awe; they must devote themselves wholeheartedly to the proper performance of public duties and never think of pandering to the whims of the ruler.⁴ As ministers occupied so important a place in the body politic, it was but natural that some thinkers should have held that the ministerial debacle was the greatest calamity that could fall upon a kingdom.⁵ - [Previous: c15.165](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c15.165) - [Next: c15.167](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c15.167) - [Up: c15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c15) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c15.166](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c15.166) · Pramāṇa