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Political Conditions and Institutions
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got an opportunity of having considerable administrative experience before succeeding to the throne.
In addition to the Uparājan (Viceroy) there was the Senāpati, a kinsman of the king. From the Devadhamma Jataka, we learn that the king gave his younger brother the office of Uparāja and his step-brother that of Senāpati." MINISTRY
The Council of the Ratnins disappeared and its place was taken by the council of Ministers variously described as Mantrins, Sachivas and Amātyas. The number of Ministers usually depended upon the size of the state but the Ministry usually consisted of five members only. Among the Ministers of the king, Rajjugāhaka amachha (Surveyor) occupied an important position. The Atthadhammānusāsaka amāchchha guided the king in worldly and spiritual matters. Thc Senāpati was the Minister of War. The vinichchāyanachchha (Minister of Justice) not only gave judicial decisions but also adviscd on matters of law and morality.
The influence of Ministers upon the course of internal and external politics depended upon the ability of the ruler. When there was a weak ruler, these Ministers had a dominating voice. The decision regarding the successor was often left to the Ministers. Indeed, allusions to the actual cxercise of sovercign powers by the Ministers are also found. In the Ghała Jataka, for instance, the king sick of worldly life hands over the reins of government to his Ministers.
When there was a powerful and self-willed ruler like Bimbisāra upon the throne of Magadha, some Ministers were dismissed for giving bad advice, others were degraded for inefficiency, while a few were promoted for the wisc counsel they gave.3 Vassakāra and Sunidha were the Jlinisters of Ajātaśatru ;t his contemporary in Košala, king Prasenajit, relied upon the advice of his Ministers, Jrigadhara and Srfyridha, in carrying out important schemes. 1. FSONB, p. 133. 29. Jā, Ill. 170. 3. Chti, 1, 1. 4. Dir, IJ, p. 75. 5. Ura, II, Appendix, P, 5G.
