Hindu Administrative Institutions c7.s7.80

c7.s7.80

That administrative affairs were conducted on systematic lines is a fact which is fully attested. Definite royal writs were issued under the seal of the king. There was a special officer in charge of the different writs used for different purposes. The Kauṭalīya says that the outbreak of wars and the agreements of peace depended on these writs. These writs were known by the general name of śāsana. The word śāsana means literally order or command. A categorical list of the writs of different interests is furnished in the Arthaśāstra, writs of information, of command, of gifts, of remission, of commerce, of general proclamation, and so forth.⁴