[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924) › c43.100 # Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c43.100 Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c43.100 - **Language:** English ### [c43.100](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c43.100) There was a tendency to form a smaller body inside the cabinet. The members of this, what we may call the Inner body, were three or four, according to the Artha-Śāstra (p. 28.). It was with them that the king constantly conferred ('मन्त्रयेत'). These ministers are called the Mantrins (मन्त्रिणः) in the Artha-Śāstra and the Rāmāyaṇa and the Mahā-Bhārata. In this character the '\*mantrins\*' mean 'those vested with \*mantra\* or the policy of state,' as is evident from the expressions \*mantradharas\* in the Rāmāyaṇa² and \*mantra-grāhas\* in the Mahā-Bhārata.³ - [Previous: c43.99](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c43.99) - [Next: c43.101](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c43.101) - [Up: c43](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c43) ## Cites (3) - [Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.artha.kautilya) — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.ramayana.valmiki) — Vālmīki, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c43.100](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c43.100) · Pramāṇa