Hindu Administrative Institutions c11.s1.1

c11.s1.1

Ancient India was not a homogeneous unit but was heterogeneous in character. Even after the idea of an empire was recognized the division of the country into various independent and self-governing states, each with its own ruling chieftain was the normal political condition. With such states independent and semi-independent, every one of them was obliged to strengthen its foreign department. There was a war-minister who was probably the head of this department. That he was an officer different from the commander-in-chief is evident from the use of the technical term ‘मंत्री’ to this office. This minister must needs know the strength and resources of the enemy and the consequent strength of his own state. He must also gain knowledge of the position, progress or decline of the enemy state and his own. Having deeply pondered over these circumstances, he must advise what is proper and conducive to the welfare of his king.¹ The foreign policy of these states was not confined to the four corners of India; for there is evidence to show that there was continuous intercourse between India and the countries which lay outside, such as China, Egypt, Syria, Ceylon, etc. In the absence of definite evidence of the existence of a separate department of war in the Vedic period of Hindu India, it is reasonable to assume that the foreign department was more an innovation of the author of the *Arthaśāstra*. That this institution was in actual working in the epoch of the Mauryas is further attested by the writings of Megasthanes.