Public Administration in Ancient India c8.39

c8.39

The efficiency of administration, of course, varied in the different States and at different times. As might be expected, under good kings and capable ministers a high standard of success was attained, while incompetent administrators not unoften found it difficult to maintain peace and security in the land and brought trouble and misery to the people. On the whole, however, it seems that the administration was efficient. It was founded, as the Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsiang, noticed, “ on benign principles ”; and the results of good government were to be seen in the happiness and prosperity of the people, the growth of literature, arts, and sciences, and the development of a high order of civilisation.