State and Government in Ancient India c22.s4.t6.2

c22.s4.t6.2

These councillors of the Greek historians were not members of any caste but corresponded to the class of the Amātyas of the *Arthaśāstra*, members of which were to be of noble extraction and high training, mature judgment and keen intellect, quick decision and remarkable energy, sterling integrity and unquestioned loyalty (I 5). The *Arthaśāstra* informs us that Mantrins or ministers were selected from among them,¹ as also all the members of the Adhyaksha class,² and the higher officers in the secretariat who drafted important documents.³ The judicial officers in the moffiusil courts were also recruited from the Amātya class.⁴ In one place Kauṭilya avers that *amātyavyasana* is a very serious one, because all important government activities proceed from them, e.g. successful carrying out of projects, protection against internal and external enemies, precautions against calamities, colonisation, recruiting of the army and collection of the revenue.⁵ It is thus clear that the Amātyas of Kauṭilya were discharging most of the functions of the councillors of the Greek historians ; their position was similar to that of the I. C. S. or I. A. S. officers who fill posts in most of the departments of Indian Government.