Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c7.73

c7.73

**Its Apartments.** While the exterior and the grounds of the palace are thus described by the Greek writers, more light is thrown on its interior and its design by Kauṭilya [I. 20-21]. The palace was to be protected by an outer wall and a moat (*saprākāra-parikhā*). In its rear were the women’s apartments with stores of medicine useful in midwifery. Outside these apartments were residences of the princes and princesses. In front of these came the toilet chamber (*Alaṁkārabhūmi*), the Council-house (*Mantrabhūmi*), the Hall of Audience (*Upasthāna*), and lastly, the administrative offices of the heir-apparent (*Kumāra*) and of the Heads of Departments (*Adhyakshasthānaṁ*). In the intervening places between these apartments, the troops in charge of the harem (*antarvaṁśika-sainyaṁ*) shall be stationed. A special household guard (*Abhyāgārika*) comprising 80 men and 50 women (or old men of 80 and women of 50) was to look after the morals of the harem [*Ib.*].