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POLITICAL HISTORY OF N. INDIA FROM JAIN SOURCES
valour, influential, possessing a large family, knowing how to use his policies and devices, trained in all sorts of vehicles, weapons, battles, alphabets languages. He should know his position as well as the position of enemies possess a giant and healthy body, beloved by all officers, be faithful to his master and to the interest of the country and be able to forbear all sorts of troubles and exertions, undaunted by the men either of his own acquaintance or his enemies. 1 Councillors Hereditary:
One striking feature of our period is that the office of the councillors, sometimes designed as a mätya and sometimes mantri, was generally hereditary. Generally their fathers and grand-fathers had been royal servants. Thus we find Vimala, the da danātha of the Caulukya Bhīma I, had his long heritage from the time of Vanaraja.2 Vāgbhața, Āmbada and Mabädeva the ministers of Kumārapāla were the sons of the former ministers. Somesvara, the purohita of Bhima II claimed his parentage in the service of the Caulukyas. Function of Cabinet :
Somadeva says that every enterprise of the king should be preceded by deliberation with councillors.3 He, like Kautilya and Kämandaka, sets forth the pertinent duties of an intricate subject, to arrive at a correct decision on a known subject, to reinforce what is decided, to eradicate the doubts in a subject of doubtful nature and to get full knowledge of the implications of a subject which is only partially known. He further says that the failure of king's policy is the failure of the councillors' policy, so it is enjoined on the councillors to keep strict secrecy with regard to the discussions and decisions of the council, whatever they might be. Somadeva prescribes certain rules and regulations to maintain the secrecy. He forbids the holding of a council in open sky or in the places which echo to human voices. The persons whose relations have been offended should not be con
THOUTE
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1 Ibid., p. 169. 2 See supra, p. 240, chapter on the Caulukyas. 3 Nitivā., p. 114: Harra: Hafsterra: feladata!
4 Ibid., p. 114: 37197RT 7979JUTTU 1 Aast च्छेदतमेकदेशदृष्टस्याशेषोपलब्धिरिति मंत्रसाध्यमेतत् ।
5 Ibid., p. 124: TESTE T Hlaunagaalanet • Ibid., p. 117: 3412 727 #9: 1 ? Ibid., p. 116: 371757 fagacelê an an a l
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