Indian administration in its present form is the culmination of its evolution since 321 BC when Chandra Gupta Maurya established his empire in the sub-continent. Over a period of time, the Mughals and the British contributed substantially to the formation of the Indian Administrative system. Free India based its administrative framework on this rich legacy she had inherited. This paper focuses on the contributions of KAUTILYA to the establishment of the Mauryan Administration as spelt out in his magnum opus ARTHASHASTRA. Though early Indian history is shrouded by the mist of time, it is an accepted fact that the first traces of human settlement were on the banks of the river Indus. The Harrapan culture as it is called now was the first example of an urban civilization.
[...] Ally Kautilya believed that the king should set an example and lead his officials; he remarks in the ARTHASHASTRA “Only if a king is himself energetically active, do his officers follow him energetically, if he is sluggish, they too remain sluggish. And besides, they eat his work. He is thereby easily overpowered by his enemies. Therefore he should ever dedicate himself energetically to activity.” The ARTHASHASTRA mentions eighteen important functionaries known as MAHAMATRAS or TIRTHAS. They are: 1. Mantrin: Minister 2. [...]
[...] Kantakashodhana deals with crime and cases related to government servants in their official duties. It handled by a panel which comprises of three PRADESHTAS, and is assisted by spies entrusted with the unraveling of crime CONCLUSION KAUTILYA'S ARTHASHASTRA was not a theoretical tract but more like a handbook on statecraft with specific instructions to a king. Some of the means suggested ran contrary to the ethical values of those times and hence Kautilya like Machiavelli has been branded as wily and crafty. Kautilya was a realist and amoral and he had delinked [...]
[...] SELECTION OF OFFICERS Realizing that an efficient administration depends upon right people manning important posts, Kautilya had laid down an elaborate process for the selection of officers at various levels of the hierarchy. Once the basic qualifications have been met, candidates are tested with regard to their attitude to a. Piety b. Lucre c. Lust d. Fear Only those who successfully complete the test of piety are made Judges and magistrates. Those who pass the monetary test are absorbed in the revenue department and candidates who are able to establish their proof against lust officers in charge of the royal harem. [...]
[...] Atavika: Chief of the Forest tribes Kautilya realized the importance of keeping in touch people and the importance of public opinion this is obvious from the following quote from ARTHASHASTRA: “When he has gone to the reception hall, he should not allow such persons, as have come for business, to remain sticking to the doors of the hall (that is waiting in vain). For, a king, with whom it is difficult for the people to have an audience, is made to confuse between right action and wrong action by his close entourage. [...]
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