Public Administration in Ancient India c10.2

c10.2

WE have already seen that in ancient times there existed in India several distinct forms of government, and that in the course of time monarchy succeeded in practically supplanting all the other forms.¹ Kingship came henceforward to be regarded as an essential part of society. The limbs of the body politic were said to be seven, namely, (1) the King (Svāmī), (2) Ministers (Amātya), (3) Territory (Janapada), (4) Forts (Durga), (5) Treasury (Kosa), (6) Army (Daṇḍa), and (7) Allies (Mitra);² and of these the monarch became the most important limb. In the Mahābhārata, the people are strongly advised to elect and crown a King, for "in a country without a King, there can be no sacrifice.”¹ The evils of the absence of this institution are thus described in the Great Epic :² “As all creatures would sink in utter darkness if the Sun and the Moon did not shine, so men would have no light to guide their steps by, if the King did not rule. Without a King the position of men would be like that of a herd of cattle without a herdsman. If the King did not exercise the duty of protection, the strong would forcibly appropriate the possessions of the weak. All kinds of property, and even wives, sons, and daughters would cease to exist. Every part of the country would be overrun by robbers; all restrictions about marriage would cease; agriculture and trade would fall into confusion; morality would be lost; the Vedas would disappear; sacrifices would no longer be performed; society itself would cease to exist; famine would ravage the country; and all kinds of injustice would set in.”