The Mauryan Polity c10.s2.t4.17

c10.s2.t4.17

A practical instance of this is seen from the history of Aśoka. The citizens of Taxila, the capital of uttarapatha or the northern provinces, resented the insolent behaviour of the ministry at their provincial capital. When the matter reached the Emperor Bindusāra, Aśoka was sent to restore law and order. The citizens accorded the prince a cordial welcome with pūrṇakumbhas and other invaluable presents. They addressed him thus: “We are not hostile either to the Kumāra or even the king Bindusāra. But we are hostile to the ministers who by their high-handedness provoke us to excitement.”³ There was a similar rising in the same place under Aśoka who sent his son Kunāla. He was also warmly received by the pauras who ventilated their grievances against the ministry.⁴ It has been shown already that these ministers retired from office in some places every three years as at Takṣaśīla, and in other places every five years.¹ Mention has again been made of the relations which existed between the ministry and the local assemblies of the realm such as the paura and the jānapada.