The Mauryan Polity c10.s2.t9.1

c10.s2.t9.1

The other class of civil servants who were of the subordinate rank went by the technical name of the *yuktas*. Apart from its use in the Aśokan inscriptions, as we shall see presently, it occurs in the *Arthaśāstra* in different connections. There is a very informing chapter entitled *upayuktaparikṣā*.⁴ Two different classes of officials are mentioned, the *yuktas* and the *upayuktas* in the *Kauṭalīya*.⁵ In every department there were *yuktas* and *upayuktas*.⁶ They had again their own assistants. They were subject to punishment as every other government official was. The punishments were of a varied character.⁷ Such of those civil servants as were employed in the collection and distribution of revenue could not easily avoid the temptation of tasting a portion of the king's revenue. Sometimes it would be impossible to detect the amount so misappropriated, just as it is not possible to find out whether fishes drink water or not. In Kauṭalya’s opinion it is even possible to spot the birds flying high in the air, but it is an intricate task to ascertain the conduct of the government servants with dishonest motives. Hence it is recommended that those who would not covet the king’s wealth but would show an increase through legitimate means, and who would prove loyal, are to be appointed as government servants.¹