Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c9.9

c9.9

Espionage. "The *Overseers* whose province it is to enquire into and superintend all that goes on in India, and make report to the king, or, where there is not a king, (i.e., in the case of the Republics which were seen to be as prevalent as the monarchies in his time by Megasthenes) to the Magistrates" (i.e. the Chief Officers of the Republics). Strabo adds [XV. 1, 46-9]: "Some are entrusted with inspection of the City, and others with that of the Army. The former employ as their co-adjutors the courtesans of the city, and the latter the courtesans of the camp. The ablest and most trustworthy men are appointed to fill these offices." To this Arrian adds: "It is against use and wont for them to give in a false report, but, indeed, no Indian is accused of lying."