State and Government in Ancient India c23.s3.9

c23.s3.9

The king continued to be assisted by a council of ministers. This is not referred to in the inscriptions of Harsha, but the Chinese pilgrim describes how the vacant Maukhari throne of Kanauj was formally offered to Harsha by its ministers. A special meeting was held for the purpose at which the premier, while addressing his colleagues said, ‘The destiny of the nation is to be fixed today. I propose that Harsha assume the royal authority; let each one give his opinion on the matter, whatever he thinks’. When an agreement was reached upon this point, Harsha was offered the crown with these words, ‘Reign then with glory over the land, conquer the enemies of your country, wash out the insults laid on your kingdom’. This incident will show that ministers exercised considerable powers and authority in the Maukhari administration, especially when there was a break in the government and we may well presume that ministry wielded considerable influence under Harsha also. Unfortunately, however, our sources give us no information about the ministry of Harsha and its functioning.