State and Government in Ancient India c15.67

c15.67

The second minister of Śukra is *pratinidhi*. It was his duty to deputise for the king when he was ill or absent on an expedition It is very likely that this duty must have devolved upon the Crown-prince, when he had become old enough to assume the reins of his office. The *uparājā* of the Jātakas seems to have corresponded with the *pratinidhi* of Śukra. It however appears that the portfolio of *pratinidhi* was not generally included in ministry; inscriptions do not refer to his office and Manu states that the premier should deputise for the king, and not the *pratinidhi*.³ In the Maratha cabinet also there was usually no Pratinidhi, but the post was created by king Rajaram when he had to leave Mahārāshṭra and take refuge in Jinjee.