[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) › c43.16 # Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c43.16 Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c43.16 - **Language:** English ### [c43.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c43.16) § 295. It is a law and and principle of Hindu constitution that the king cannot act without the approval and co-operation of the Council of Ministers. The law-sūtras, the law-books, and the political treatises are all unanimous on the point. Manu calls a king foolish who would attempt to carry on the administration by himself. He regards such a king as unfit.¹ He lays down that the king must have 'colleagues,' \*i.e.\*, ministers; and that in their midst and along with them he has to consider ordinary and extraordinary matters of state,² even ordinary business ought not to be done by one man, not to speak of the conduct of a kingdom.³ Yājñavalkya is of the same opinion⁴ and so are the other law-givers. Kātyāyana ordains that the king should not decide even a law-suit by himself and that he should do it along with the council.⁵ Even Kauṭilya, the greatest advocate of monarchy, has to say that matters of state should be discussed by the council - [Previous: c43.15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c43.15) - [Next: c43.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c43.17) - [Up: c43](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c43) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c43.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c43.16) · Pramāṇa