The Mauryan Polity c8.s4.t7.12

c8.s4.t7.12

It is noteworthy that the Kauṭalīya mentions some of these as tending to mar the administration of justice, and provides for the punishment of such judges as those who failed to discharge their duties properly.³ It was the sincere wish of the emperor that none of his subjects suffered from unjust imprisonment or undeserved capital punishment. To see that his officers fulfilled their duties impartially and justly, certain commissioners were sent out from the headquarters to watch their conduct and report to the authorities at the capital.⁴ This reminds us of the Kauṭalīyan prescription to set members of the Intelligence department over these officials among others. Again, as under every civilised government the Mauryan kings gave a general amnesty to prisoners on certain occasions. According to the Kauṭalīya the young, old, diseased and destitute prisoners had to be set free on the king’s birthday and on the full moon days. Prisoners were also released on the acquisition of a new territory, on the anointment of the crown prince, and on the birth of a son to the king.¹