Public Administration in Ancient India c12.13

c12.13

Ministers were, as a rule, selected from the ranks of learned Brāhmaṇas who, according to Megasthenes, formed a separate class and who advised the King or magistrates of self-governed cities in the management of public affairs. “In point of numbers,” says the Greek writer, “it is a small class, but it is distinguished by superior wisdom and justice, and hence enjoys the prerogative of choosing governors, chiefs of provinces, deputy governors, superintendents of the treasury, generals of the army, admirals of the navy, controllers, and commissioners who superintend agriculture.” ²