The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c12.127

c12.127

Besides exhortations, the emperor employed demonstrations to promote righteousness. It had long been customary to summon people by beat of drums to shows and various displays. In a Jâtaka, for instance, a king thus summons a crowd to witness the taming of elephants.¹ The Greeks noted that the sound of shells and drums called crowds to spectacles as also for war.² But under Aśoka, the Fourth Rock Edict records, the sound of drums became the sound of morality, calling the people to sacred representations, generally from the life of the Buddha, or showing glimpses of heavenly bliss.³ The whole administrative machinery of the state was utilised for the same purpose. The Third Pillar Edict requires all royal officers to help in the ethical mission in their quinquennial tours. Thirteen years after his coronation, the emperor created a special class of officers—a set of censors and missionaries—to further his aims. In the capital, in the country and in the extreme border-lands which were inhabited by Greeks (Yonas), Kambojas, Gandhâras and others, these officers "are occupied with all sects in establishing morality. . . They are occupied with servants and masters . . . for the . . . happiness of those who are devoted to morality, (and) in freeing (them) from desire (for worldly life). They are occupied with supporting prisoners (with money) . . . (if one has) children, or with those who are bewitched (i.e., incurably ill) or with the aged."⁴ Elsewhere he observes that his Dhamma Mahâmâtras "are occupied with affairs of many kinds which are beneficial to ascetics as well as to householders, and they are occupied with all sects. Some busy themselves with the affairs of the Saṃgha, others with the Brâhmaṇas and Âjīvakas;¹ others with the Nirgranthas; others were ordered by me to busy themselves with various (other) sects; (thus) different Mahâmâtras (are busying themselves) specially with different congregations . . . my Mahâmâtras of morality are occupied with these (congregations) as well as with all other sects.”² Itthijhaka Mahâmâtras were charged with the performance of censorial and missionary duties towards women.³