Public Administration in Ancient India c10.115

c10.115

It was the custom for the would-be King to go through a period of apprenticeship as Crown Prince (Yuvarāja). On his attaining the proper age, the heir-apparent received a special inauguration.¹ Great importance was attached to the training of a Crown Prince in order that when he ascended the throne he might be able to discharge the duties of Kingship properly. As a knowledge of Politics was regarded as indispensable for Kings,² instruction in that science was imparted to him by distinguished professors and administrators.³ But what was more important was that he received practical training in the art of administration by being associated with the actual work of government.⁴ The Crown Prince was an important member of the Great Council, and, very often, he was the Governor of a Province or a Commander of the Army.⁵ Asoka, for instance, held the position of Governor in two provinces in succession during the lifetime of his father. Samudragupta acquired his renown as a warrior while he was still a Prince.¹ Rājyavardhana was sent by his father King Prabhākara-vardhana as the Commander-in-Chief of the army to fight against the Huns.² If the Crown Prince showed conspicuous ability, he was sometimes chosen to act as a sort of Sub-King (Uparāja) or Prince Regent with almost all the powers of a Sovereign. Occasionally, an old King would retire from the worries of Kingship and abdicate in favour of the Crown Prince.³