The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c12.156

c12.156

concerned. But to ensure its observance the king arranged the quinquennial or more frequent tours of Mahâmâtras—a sort of inspectors of courts, sent from the central and provincial capitals. "I shall send out every five years (a Mahâmâtra) who will be neither harsh nor fierce (but) of gentle actions (in order to ascertain) whether (the judicial officers), paying attention to this object . . . are acting thus, as my instruction (implies). But from Ujjayinî also the prince (governor) will send out for the same purpose . . . a person of the same description, and he will not allow (more than) three years to pass (without such a deputation). In the same way (an officer will be deputed from Takṣaśilâ also." From the last clause of the edict it will appear that some other duties were also entrusted to these inspectors but all along the emphasis is laid on judicial supervision. Aśoka made a gracious reform in the penal law. "A respite of three days is granted by me to persons lying in prison on whom punishment has been passed (and) who have been condemned to death. (In this way) either (their) relatives will persuade those (Lâjukas) to (grant) their life, or, if there is none who persuades (them), they will bestow gifts, or will undergo fasts in order to (attain happiness) in the other world. For my desire is that when the time (of respite) has expired, they should attain (happiness) in the other world."' So, Aśoka aimed at giving the unfortunate condemned men an adequate interval for petitions for mercy and spiritual preparation for the life beyond. None the less justice was to be strict and impartial. Aśoka's reputation for justice lasted through centuries. In the seventh century A.D. Yuan Chwang recorded the tradition that on the representation of the