The Mauryan Polity c8.s2.t4.1

c8.s2.t4.1

A similar circumstance perhaps actuated *Aśoka* to employ *Rājukas* in such a manner as would win the affection and goodwill of the *Jānapada* assembly. In the Pillar Proclamations IV,⁷ the term *Jānapada* occurs in three places where it is said that the *Rājukas* were to discharge their duties so as to secure the goodwill and affection of the members of the *Jānapada* and grant them *anugrahas*.¹ The discontented among them were to be brought round. The officers were to conduct themselves in such a manner as the *Jānapada* would not get offended. Aśoka attached so much importance to the *Jānapada* that he discussed with them the ways and means of propagating *dharma* in the land.² It appears from the fact that the phrase *Paura-Jānapada* occurs together whenever there is occasion for its mention, that these two bodies severally and conjointly carried out the political functions devolved on them. That they had to attend to such functions daily is evident from the kings' time-table where the second portion of the day is devoted to attending to the business of the *Paura-Jānapada*.³