Hindu Administrative Institutions c11.s4.9

c11.s4.9

The *Rajanīti Ratnākara* (p. 50) says that the king must first see the *cāras* or secret commissioners, and then the *dūtas* or the ambassadors for information regarding the strength or otherwise of the enemy.¹ The qualifications and duties of the ambassadors are many and varied. Manu gives the following qualifications of an ambassador: ‘versed in all sciences, skilled in reading the signs, gestures, and movements of other persons, pure, clever, hereditary, loyal, honest, of a strong memory, ready to adjust according to time and place, of strong physique, devoid of fear, and clever in debate.’² An ambassador is generally appointed from among the councillors. It is common that an able and successful councillor is sent on this mission. After making previous arrangements as to conveyance and subsistence he should start on his mission with the following reflection: ‘The enemy shall be told thus. This shall be the reply to him, and thus he shall be imposed upon.’³