The Mauryan Polity c7.s1.t10: The evidence of the Divyāvadāna
The Mauryan Polity c7.s1.t10
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The evidence of the Divyāvadāna
c7.s1.t10.1
Added to this is the significant statement of the *Divyāvadāna*, namely, ‘the king to-day has been deprived of authority by his servants’¹:
c7.s1.t10.2
¹ Cowell Ed., p. 432.
c7.s1.t10.3
bhṛtyaiḥ sa bhūmipatiradya hṛtādhikāro
dānam prayachati kilāmalakārdham etat||
c7.s1.t10.4
This passage only corroborates our view that the *pariṣad* (Council) exercised real executive powers and the king was only the nominal sovereign authority. This reminds us of the present Parliamentary system of Government in Great Britain where the real sovereign authority is the Parliament though the formal assent of the King is necessary to every administrative measure, including the appointment of higher officials. Nothing more or anything less is implied in the polity of the ancient Mauryas.
Linked texts (1)
- Divyāvadāna — Sanskrit