State and Government in Ancient India c16.27

c16.27

Tours of inspection have been recommended to the king and his officers by several writers. Manu observes that royal officers have a natural tendency to be come corrupt, oppressive and partial, the king should, therefore, go on tours every now and then to find out whether people are pleased or displeased with them.¹ Śukra recommends annual tours for this purpose, during which the king or the higher officers should visit all villages and towns to ascertain first hand their real condition and the feelings of their residents.² These recommendations were followed in practice; we find many of the charters issued when the kings were on tours in the different sections of their dominions.