Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c43.110

c43.110

§ 306 Apart from the cabinet of the Mantra-dharas who had the real executive authority, there was, as we have already seen, the *Mantra-parishad* or the *Mantri-parishad*. The Mantri parishad was not solely composed of the Mantrins. To the meetings of this body, the Mantrins or 'the holders of Mantra' ministers were called according to the Kauṭilīya. The Parishad was composed of (1) these Mantradharas (Inner cabinet) (2) other cabinet ministers who held portfolios, (3) ministers without portfolios, and (4) others. The number was generally large; as the numbers 32 of the Mahā-Bhārata, 20 and 16 of other authorities, and Kauṭilya's example of Indra's large council show. It thus exceeded the number of the ministers of the cabinet.