Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c44.29

c44.29

The account of India left by Megasthenes are to be gleaned from fragments. The fragments as we find them indicate that the actual government did vest in the Cabinet or Council, that the Council was very much respected, and that it had a high character and tradition of wisdom behind it. It deliberated on public affairs and it ‘chose’ and appointed governors, chiefs of provinces, deputy governors, superintendents (or ‘adhyakshas’) of treasury, generals of the army and admirals of the navy, and high officers to superintend agriculture.