The Mauryan Polity c7.s3.t1.9

c7.s3.t1.9

From the *Arthaśāstra* we gather that there were four compartments leading from the harem to the public hall. In the first compartment where there was the harem, were stationed women armed with bows; the second aged persons and attendants including the kañcukin and uṣṇīṣin (special servants who attended to the dress of the king), while the third was attended by the hunch-back and the dwarf, and the fourth by kinsmen and armed door-keepers. Most of these servants were hereditary and well-behaved.³ Why such elaborate precautions were taken is answered by Kauṭalya himself that these are conducive to the happiness of the king. If the king was worried by these trifles in the household, he could not properly attend to the affairs of the state, and hence these safeguards were taken.