The Mauryan Polity c13.s12.89

c13.s12.89

The Overseers who moved about the country and reported to the king or their immediate superiors must undoubtedly refer to the Cāras or intelligence officers to whom several sections are devoted by Kauṭalya.¹ To ensure efficiency the chief feature of ancient administrative practice was to let loose on officials of every department, special commissioners to watch their movements and proceedings. Their function was to see that the officials of the state did not lend themselves to temptations of any sort including corruption, miscarriage of justice, and disloyalty to the state. If the Cāras heard reliable information about a certain official abusing his power and position, then a report was made in secret. The Government took action not at once but only after it was confirmed by three independent sources.² Apparently members of this intelligence department must have been influential and powerful so as to attract the notice of a foreign ambassador. When he learnt about their status in the administration he referred to them by mistake as a caste engaged for that purpose. In fact members of all castes including the Niṣādhas (hunters) were appointed to this purpose and Megasthenes had misunderstood the true conditions in India. This is again another instance why we should not attach great value to these Greek accounts.