Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c43.55

c43.55

§ 298. The numerical strength of the Ministry varied from time to time. Bṛihaspati in his book on politics quoted by Kauṭilya gave the number of the council members to be sixteen. The Artha-Sāstra of the Mānavas laid down 'that the Council of Ministers should be composed of twelve ministers': mantripariṣhadaṁ, dvādaśāmātyāṁ¹ kurvīteti Mānavāḥ. Another old authority, Uśanas, enjoined in his time twenty, while Kauṭilya would not have any rigid number.² Earlier Councils were larger, as one is mentioned in the Mahā-Bhārata of thirty two members (§ 321). There has been a tendency towards a smaller body.