The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c14.s9.t8.26

c14.s9.t8.26

In Rāmachandrapant's lengthy statement about the functions of the king we have a good summary of *nīti* literature on the subject (p. 26). In the statement that "a king alone cannot, even if he wishes to perform all these functions," and that "therefore he has to appoint as his representatives *pradhānas* (ministers) in order to conduct the affairs of the kingdom" we are, again, in the atmosphere of the *nītiśāstras* (pp. 26-30). But the author is an *amātya* (minister) of the Maratha state. So he introduces a good deal of objectivity and *Realpolitik* into his analysis of the position of ministers in the state. An interesting observation runs to the effect that "ministers are the pillars of the house whose name is kingdom" (p. 27). In the dictum that "when one is appointed a minister, one should not at all be disrespected and insulted at every turn" (p. 29) we feel that it is not a copybook maxim cited from *Śukranīti* or some other text but a bit of the author's own mind. This Maratha *amātya*, like many other ministers of Hindu states, nay, like the ministers of many royal dynasties of Europe—knew from bitter experience what it is to serve a king. In the capacity of a writer on *rājanīti* Rāmachandrapant is therefore but pleading the cause of his own profession throughout the world while offering the advice as to how the ruler should behave with the ministers. This piece of advice might be administered, be it observed *en passant*, as much to the Hohenzollerns, Bourbons and the British despots of the New Monarchy as to the Marathas.