State and Government in Ancient India c23.s3.5

c23.s3.5

Like Aśoka, Harsha believed in the utility of inspection tours; if there was any irregularity, observes the Chinese pilgrim, ‘in the manners of the people of the cities’ he went amongst them.¹ His inspection tours, however, were not confined to the urban areas only; rural areas received equal attention. The king naturally suspended his inspection work during the rainy season, when it is difficult to tour; in the fair weather, he visited as many places as possible, not residing long at any one place, but having temporary buildings created for his residence at each place of sojourn. During these halts the local gentry and villagers had easy access to the king and used to report their grievances and press for their local needs.²