Public Administration in Ancient India c12.26

c12.26

The Prime Minister (Pradhāna, Sarvārthaka,³ Sarvādhikāra,⁴ Agrāmātya,⁵ Mahāmātya,⁶ or simply Mantri ⁷) was the highest Officer-of-State and the real Head of the Executive. He was in general charge of the affairs of the State, and sometimes he undertook in addition the duties of a particular department, such as the Foreign Office. Another important Minister was the Purohita (the High Priest), who was always held in the highest regard. In the Aitareya Brāhmana, the Purohita is called the “Protector of the State” (rāṣṭra-gopa).⁸ Chānakya says: