The Mauryan Polity c10.s2.t8: The evidence of inscriptions
The Mauryan Polity c10.s2.t8
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The evidence of inscriptions
c10.s2.t8.1
From the Edicts of Aśoka,⁴ the *puruṣas* who were civil servants of the superior rank were appointed in three grades—the lower, the middling and the higher. This reminds us of our own civil service system where a civil servant who is started in the lower scale is promoted to the upper division after a certain period of service. From Pillar Edict IV where these *puruṣas* are said to be acquainted with the wishes of the king it seems that these government servants were appointed by the authorities at the imperial Headquarters, and they were hence answerable to them. The Edicts are valuable in as much as they refer to the duties expected of these officials. These two duties are mentioned. First, they were the inspectorate of the government, and in that capacity watched whether the provincial officers were loyal to the king.¹ Secondly, they were sent over to the common people² to get at the prevailing public feeling with regard to the government of the land. This, it may be remembered, is a function assigned to the *gūḍhapuruṣas* by Kauṭalya.³
c10.s2.t8.2
⁴ Pillar I, IV and VII.
c10.s2.t8.3
¹ Pillar E. IV: also Mookerjee, *Aśoka*, p. 57.
c10.s2.t8.4
² bahune janasi āyaṭā P.E. VII, *Corpus*, p. 132 (Delhi-Topra).
c10.s2.t8.5
³ See Bk. I, ch. 12 and 13.
Linked texts (4)
- Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit
- Pillar Edict I — Prakrit
- Pillar Edict IV — Prakrit
- Pillar Edict VII — Prakrit