State and Government in Ancient India c15.181

c15.181

We had pointed out earlier how sometimes ministers were reduced to mere figure heads when kings were strong, able or self-willed, that is to say, when the state was king-centred (*rājāyatta*). The reverse used to be the case when kings were weak and ministers strong and capable, and able to work in a team-spirit. Tradition asserts that Chandragupta Maurya was completely in the hands of his prime-minister Kauṭilya. Aśoka’s extravagant charity was curbed by his ministers, and eventually he could present only half an *āmalaka* fruit to the Church;⁴ a *stūpa* was built over this valued gift which was seen by Yuan Chwang. This pilgrim further informs us how kings Vikramāditya of Śrāvastī had proposed to spend five lakhs daily in charity, and how he was opposed by his ministers; they pointed out how fresh taxes would have to be imposed upon people, when the treasury was emptied out by this procedure, and said, ‘Your Majesty will indeed get credit for charity, but your ministers will lose respect of all’.⁵