Political History Of Ancient India

SR No.: 032292
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hemchandra Raychaudhari
Publisher: University of Calcutta
Publication Year: 1950
Total Pages: 714
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 345

316 POLITICAL HISTORY OF ANCIENT INDIA
But Dr. K. P. Jayaswal pointed out that the Parisha of the Edicts is the Mantriparishad of the Arthaśāstra.1 The inscriptions prove that Aśoka retained also the system of Provincial Government existing under his forefathers. Tosali, Suvarnagiri, Ujjayini and Takshasila were each under a prince of the blood (Kumala or Ayaputa). 2
The Emperor and the Princes were helped by bodies (Nikaya) of officials who fell under the following classes :
1.
2-3 The Rujukas and Rathikas.
The Pradesikas or Pradesikas.
The Yutas. 4
Pulisā. Pativedaka. Vachabhumikā.
The Mahumutras and other Mukhyas.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8
9.
The Lipikaras.
10.
The Dutas.
11-12. The Ayuktas and Kāranakas.
1 Compare the references to the "Sarajika Parisha" in the Mahāvastu, Senart, Vol. III, pp, 362, 392. For different kinds of Parisha, see Anguttara I. 70,
2 That Ayaputa or Aryaputra meant a member of a ruling house or clan. appears probable from the evidence of the Balacharita, attributed to Bhasa, in which Vasudeva is addressed by a Bhata as Aryaputra. Pandit T. Ganapati Sastri further points out that in the Svapnanaṭaka the term Aryaputra is employed as a word of respect by the chamberlain of Vasavadatta's father in addressing King Uday ana (Introduction to the Pratima-nāṭaka, p, 32). An interesting feature of Aśoka's administration was the employment of a Yavana governor or episkopos in one territory to which reference has already been
made.
3. Cf. also Arthaśastra, pp. 16, 20, 58, 64, 215, 237-39; Rajasekhara, KM,
XLV, 53.
4 The Yuktas of the Arthaśastra, pp. 59, 65, 199, Rāmāyaṇa, VI, 217, 34; Mahabharata, II, 56, 18, Manu, VIII. 34; cf. the Raja-yuktas of the Santiparva, 82.9-15.