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The Mauryan Polity c7.s2.t1: Daily time-table

The Mauryan Polity c7.s2.t1

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Daily time-table

c7.s2.t1.1

The Mauryan kings who set before themselves high ideals of royalty and were imbued with solicitude for the welfare of an all-embracing humanity could not have piloted the ship of administration if the daily life allocated to sovereigns in general in the *Arthaśāstra* was not normal. Days and nights were divided into eight periods respectively and a fixed time-table was drawn up. The king went to bed at 9 P.M., and got up at 3 A.M. accompanied by music on both occasions. From 3 to 4-30 A.M. he pondered over miscellaneous state business especially concerning the business of the day. At 4-30 A.M. came to his chamber *ṛtviks*, *ācāryas*, *purohita*, and showered on him choice blessings. Consultations were then held with the Physician, the Master of the Kitchen, and the Soothsayer respectively, and the king entered the Hall of Audience after the ceremony of circumambulating a cow with her calf, and a bull. We need not mention that even to this day it is reckoned to be auspicious to see a cow as first in the morning. Having entered the public hall of audience the king was engaged first in supervising and examining the balance-sheet comprising the receipts and expenditure, perhaps, of the previous day. From 7-30 to 9 A.M. ordinary citizens were allowed to have an audience with His Majesty and ventilate their grievances, if any, in person, so that immediate attention might be given to such affairs as would seem urgent. Exactly at 9 A.M. he left the hall for morning bath, prayers and breakfast all of which he used to finish in an hour and a half. For from 10-30 to 12 noon he looked to the affairs of the officers of the state to whom perhaps interviews were given and when a free expression of their views was heard. At 12 noon he entered the council chamber to confer with his counsellors and ministers on important affairs of state which required their mature deliberation and sound advice so as to pursue an effective policy. The period between 1-30 and 3 P.M. was devoted to rest by way of some amusement. The pastime being over, he took a general supervision of the whole army and devoted the evening to matters relating to diplomatic relations with other states including military operations and undertakings. Between 6 and 7-30 P.M. the king gave audience to special Intelligence Officers and other confidential agents of the realm. Then he went to supper after his evening bath and prayers.¹

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¹ Ar. Śās. Bk. I, Ch. 19.

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Some of the facts are corroborated by the testimony of classical writers. According to Strabo² the king did not sleep during day time. Megasthenes remarks that the king remained in the Court for the whole day.³ It was shown above that excepting for a brief interval for both, breakfast and rest, the king was practically engaged with the business of the state from morning to evening. The programme of work was indeed heavy and it required a strenuous and active man to follow. Need it be said that the first Mauryan kings were full of these characteristics.

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² McCrindle: Ancient India as described in Classical Literature, p. 55.

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³ Fg. 27.

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