Public Administration in Ancient India c10.68

c10.68

Translated into the language of modern Politics, these and other similar accounts would mean that the chief duties of the King were three-fold, namely, executive, judicial, and military. The King was the executive head of the State and the chief custodian of political authority,² and as such the most important of his duties was to preserve peace and security in the realm.³ It was as his servants that the State officials worked for the prevention of crimes and enforced the observance of the laws of the kingdom. All officers of the State were appointed and removed—directly or indirectly—by the King; they acted according to his commands, and were accountable for the exercise of their functions to him. The administration of justice was carried on in the name of the King, and sometimes he himself presided over the Royal Court of Justice.¹ It was he who gave effect to the judgments of the Law Courts, and exercised his prerogative of mercy in suitable cases. Though legislation was not among the powers entrusted to the King, yet royal edicts, at least so far as they related to administrative business, had the force of laws.² The King was also the supreme commander of the military forces of the country, and, not unfrequently, he personally led the army on the field of battle.³ The fame of a victorious warrior was much coveted by Kings of old, and there were not a few among them who were renowned far and wide for their prowess in battle.⁴ Among the minor duties of the King may be mentioned the guardianship of infants and the custody of the property of minors and others who were unable to take care of their own things.¹ The King was also, in a sense, the head of the society. He was the protector, though not the head, of religion;² and in his executive capacity he guided, and to some extent controlled, the religious and moral life of the people.