State and Government in Ancient India c23.s5.16

c23.s5.16

The qualifications of ministers were the same as those in the earlier periods. Qualities prescribed for ministers in our epigraphs are similar to those laid down by Kauṭilya, Manu or Kāmandaka. Very often ministry was hereditary in one family: we have quoted one example in the Chandella dynasty on p. 179; another instance from the Pala dynasty may be given here. From Badal *praśasti* we learn that Garga and his four descendants, Darbhapāṇi, Somesvara, Kedāra Miśra and Gaurava Miśra were ministers of Dharmapāla and his three successors. Ministry was probably hereditary in several families in other dynasties also. About the working of the ministry during this period, we may refer the reader pp. 176-7.