The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c20.88

c20.88

King Bhoja of Dhārā in Mālwā, of the 11th century A.D., is known to Hindu tradition as a second Vikramāditya.¹ To him is attributed the authorship of many works on Yoga, philosophy, astronomy, medicine, prosody, and Alaṅkāra. He is said to have written the Yuktikalpataru which treats of a huge number of topics, covering law, government, military tactics and accoutrements, ship-building, architecture, precious stones, draught animals, etc., etc.² Here the royal preceptor, priest, minister, counseller, commander and ambassador are the chief officers of state (pp. 3—6). There are various superintendents, including those of forests. Towns had an administrative machinery of their own. Espionage plays an important part in the working of the administration.³