State and Government in Ancient India c15.50

c15.50

It appears that in addition to the ministry of eight or ten, the members of which were usually called *mantrins*, there was also a large body of advisers corresponding to the modern Privy Council, the members of which were usually known as *amātyas*. The council of 36 *amātyas* referred to by the *Mahābhārata*¹ seems to have corresponded to such a Privy Council rather than to the ministry. The *Arthaśāstra* also shows that the *amātyas* were no doubt high officials and departmental heads but inferior in status to and much larger in numbers than *mantrins*.² They were however, summoned for consultation on grave occasions along with the ministers.