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1. Matriparishad:
Composition, Functions
and Scope
Dr. Virag Sontakke
Assistant Professor
Center for Advanced Studies
Department of A.I.H.C. & Archaeology,
Banaras Hindu University

2. Matriparishad:
Composition,
Functions and
Scope

3. Introduction
• Mantriparishad: Important aspect of the Polity
• Mantra=denotes advice
• Panini: Parishadvalo raja (council of ministers)
• Mahabharata: King is dependent upon the Mantriparishad
like animals upon clouds, women on their husbands and
Brahmanas on Vedas
• Arthashatra: King and Mantriparishad are two wheels of
the chariot.
• Manu: without the help of Mantriparishad; difficult the
run the administrations.
• Sukra: All round king not know everything, therefore get
help from competent ministers.
• Sukra: Without Mantriparishad kingdom would be
destruct.

4. Background
• Rigveda + Atharvaveda: No mentions of
Mantriparishad.
• Reference of Rajkrut and Rajkartar
• Sanhita of Yajurveda and Brahmana: mentions
functionaries called as Ratnins (Jewels).
• Their number and functions are not specifically
mentioned.
• At he beginning they must be relative of royal families
and head of the small departments and courtiers.

5. Ratnins of Vedic Age
• List of Ratnins
1. Purohit: The Royal Chaplain
2. Senani: Commander in Chief
3. Suta: Commander of Chariot corps of the army
(charioteer to the king)
4. Gramani: Village chief (head of the Village)
5. Sangrahita: The Treasurer
6. Bhagadhut: Tax collector or Member of Finance
7. Kshattaa: Royal Chamberlain or food Distributors
(Dr. Ghoshal)
8. Akshavapa: Kings companion in the game table
9. Palagal: Kings companion (Vidushak)/ Ambassador
10. Govikartana or Govyachha: Keeper of royal heard of
cattle
11. Taksha: Carpenter
12. Rathakara: Chariot maker

6. Council (Ratnin’s) in Vedic Period
1. Kings Queen
2. Crown prince
3. Ministers
a. Akshavapa: Kings companion in the game
table
b. Suta: Commander of Chariot corps of the
army (charioteer to the king)
c. Sangrahita: The Treasurer
d. Gramani: Village chief (head of the Village)
e. Govikartana or Govyachha: Keeper of royal
heard of cattle

7. Status of the Ratnins
• At the time of Vajapeya sacrifice Status of the Ratnins
was high.
• King himself goes to ratnin house in occasion of
Vajapeya sacrifice.
• Dr. Altekar: Ratnin probably selected through powerful
organization called Samiti.
• Conception of ratnin faded away by the dis-
apperments of the Vedic sacrifices.
• Subsequently, ratnin place taken by council of
Ministers.

8. Ministers (Matriparishad) in
Historical Period
• Matriparishad was indispensable feature of
Government.
• Kings empire rely upon the good council of Ministers.
• Even Crown Prince and Viceroys had their separate
council of ministers in their court.
• Examples
1. Mourya: Governor of Taxila (c. 2nd Century BCE)
2. Shunga: Crown Prince Agnimitra in Malwa (150
BCE)
3. Gupta: Crown Prince also had Matriparishad

9. Historical Reference of Ministers
1. Vassakar: Prominent minister of King Ajatshatru of Magadh
2. Koshal King Prasenjit relied upon the advice of his ministers
Mrigadhara and Shrivridha.
3. Jataka: Often referred ministers
4. Maurya: Inscription (Ahokan edicts) and Literature
(Arthshashtra) shows well settled Mantri-parishad.
5. Shunga: Reference of Mantriparishad in Malvikagnimitram
6. Western Saka kings ruled with help of council of ministers
Mati-Sachiv (Councillors) and Karma-Sachivas
(Administrative Heads)
7. Gupta Rulers inscriptions mentioned various Ministers (ex.
Harishen, in Prayag Prashasti)
8. Harsha was elected as a king of Kannauj by Council of
Maukharies
9. Kalhan’s Rajtarangini shows the important of Ministers in the
history of Kashmir.

10. Strength of the Ministry
• Mahabharata: 8 Ministers
• Jatakas: 5
• Kautilya: According to the need
• Manava School: 12
• Bharhaspatya School:16
• Ausanasa School:20
• Manu: 7-8 members
• Shukraniti: 10 0r 7-8
• Manasollasa of Someshwara: 7-8
• Nitivyakyamruta: 3,5 or 7

11. Advisers (Amatyas)
• Mahabharata: council of 36 amatyas act as a Privy
Council
• Arthashashtra: Amatyas were departmental head,
high officials
• Arthashashtra: Amatyas number are larger than
Ministers

12. Scope of the Mantriparishad
1. Organization of whole administration
2. Mantriparishad enunciate new policies
3. Successfully carry out Kings order
4. Supervise and direct the state policies
5. Growth of economic structure
6. Collect and enhance taxation system
7. Calculate the state expenditure
8. Proper education and training to the Princes
9. Direct the foreign policy
10. look after the Feudators
11. Support and help the King

13. Ministers Portfolios
• According to Sukra (11th Century CE)
• Number of Ministers: 10
1. Purohit: Pratinidhi
2. Pradhan
3. Sachiva
4. Mantrin
5. Pradvivaka
6. Pandita
7. Sumantra
8. Amatya
9. Duta
Their Salaries of Ministers are lower than those of the
preceding one.

14. Purohit
ØRoyal Chaplin
ØHeavy weight minister
ØHighly influential
ØSpiritual Preceptor (Guru) of King
ØAbsence of King he carried the administration.
ØProtect the nation by magical charm
ØPerforming the requisite rituals (purohitkarm)
ØPerform sacrifice (Yagy)
Ø He suppose to be well versed both in shastra (military
art) and shashtra (religious rituals)
ØBy the course of time importance of Purohit decreases

15. Pradhan
ØMost important member of the ministry
ØSukra: Superintendent (sarvadarshi) of the whole
administration
ØHe is performer of everything
Ø Pradhan is also known as Mahamatya in historical
records
ØJayanta: Mahamatya of Kadamba dynasty (6th C.BCE)
ØKrishambhatta: Mahamatya of Gujrat Rastrkuta (8th C.
BCE)
ØPradhan act as Prime Minister
ØStatus of Pradhan was very high

16. Sachiva
q War Minister
q Next important than Pradhan
q Sachiva known as Senapati in Mauryan period and
Mahabaladhikrita under Gupta.
q Well expert in the war
q Security of the forts
q To look all branches of the military
q Sub-head of army

17. Mantrin
v Foreign Minister
v next important member of Ministry
v Inscriptions give mantrin higly significant
Mahasadhivigrahik
v Highest officer of peace and war
v Due to lot of neighboring state his portfolio must be busy
v Maurya, Gupta, Rashtrkuta etc must have more than one
foreign minister
vSukra: Foreign Minister was well versed with
a) Sam (conciliation)
b) Dama (appeasement)
c) Danda (War)
d) Bheda (causing dissentions in the enemy’s camp)
v Lot of copper plates were drafted by foreign minister

18. Padvivaka पादिववाक
o Charge of Judicial Department
o Chief Justice
o Well versed with smriti law
o He presided over the highest court in the absence of
the King
o Rarely mentioned in incriptions

19. Pandit
• Charge of religion and Morality
• Acquainted in Darmashashtra
• Look after the people follows the rules of shashtra
• Advice the government in socio-religious policy
• Grants to temple and monasteries
• Look after school and colleges
• The Dharm-mahamatras of Ashoka
• The shramanmahamatras of Satavahana
• The Vinaysthitisthapakas under Gupta
• The Dharmankusas of Rashtrkutas

20. Sumantra
• Ministry of Treasury
• Mahabharata: treasury was the root of the
state.
• He look after the collection of the state
• Must be important minister
• No mentions in inscriptions

21. Amatya
ü The Revenue minister
ü Collect the revenue of state
üCorrect inventory of the
üVillage
üCities
üTowns
üMines and
üForest
ü To maintained account of land under cultivation
ü Also maintain the details of the vacate land

22. Role of Ministers
• No detail evidence
• King presided over the council
• Ashok edict VI: Difference of opinion among the
ministers reported to him
• Indicate, cabinet was carried out without King
• Manu: King should consult the ministers both jointly
and separately
• Shukra: on the occasion of differences, king asked the
ministers to send their views in separate memoranda
• Kautilya: favor of joint consultation with three-four
ministers with similar portfolios
• Kautilya: king should usually accept the advice of
minister

23. Asoka’s Minister
q Third edict: Council orders were duly
recorded and expounded to the public by local
officers.
q Six edict: oral order of the emperor and
departmental heads taken in urgent cases were
reviewed by council order were dully recorded
q Six edict: When the council was divided in any
issue, the matter once reported to him.
q Council can suggest revision of royal orders

24. Ministry officers
§ Ministers usually have two secretary, but their numbers
can be increase accordingly
§ Secretary often promoted to the position of minister in
due course
§ Sukra: recommends the transfer of ministers
§ Example: in Gupta period durin the reign of
Kumargupta I, minister Prithvisena was promoted and
transferred as a war ministers.
§ Capable ministers held multiple portfolios
§ Sukra:When any mater finished in meeting, minutes of
the meeting prepared and sent it to the king for his
approval and sanctions.
§ When king sign the order, it was duly announced or
send to the concerned department.

25. Qualifications of Ministers
1. Ability and loyalty
2. According to some choice should me made from kings school companions
3. Other thought that choice should me restricted to members of royal and tested families.
• According to Kautilya
i. Native of the country
ii. Born in high family
iii. Influential
iv. Well-trained
v. Possessed of foresight
vi. Possesses of enthusiasm
vii. Dignity and endurance
viii. Pure in character
ix. Affable
x. Affectionate
xi. Firm in loyal devotion
xii. Endowed with excellent strength
xiii. Healthy
xiv. Brave
xv. Free from Procrastination etc.
• King should test the ministers before assign portfolios (WWW)

26. Hereditary Posts of Ministers
1. Pruthvisena was a minister under Kumargupta I and
his father Sikharasvamin was minister under the
Chandragupta II
2. Under Uchchkalpa dynasty, Gallu was foreign
minister in 496 Ce and his brother Manoratha in 512
CE.
3. In Chandellas, five generations of one family are
worked as ministers
4. Sometimes Ministers were selected from Royal
families e.g. Chahamana ruler Visaladeva appointed
his son as a Prime Minister

27. Leadership and ability of the Ministers
• Epigraphs indicate that the ministers were military
leaders
• Harishena: the foreign minister of Samudrgupta was
also a General (Mahabaladhikrut)
• Provincial generals of Ishvakus and Vakatakas were
military commanders
• Mahabharata: Privy Council of king consist
• 4 Brahman b) 8 Kshtriyas c) 21 Viashyas d) 3 Shudras

28. Bonding of King + Ministers
• When King strong and Powerful:
• Administration known as “ King-Centered”
• Rajayatt Tantra
• When King were week and incapable
• Ministers became virtual rulers
• Administration known as “ Ministry-Controlled”
• Ubhayayatta
• Chandragupta was highly influenced by Kautilya

29. Relations between King and Council Minister
• Relations between king and ministers were cordial.
• Rashtrakuta king Krishna IIIrd (950 CE), Narayana
(foreign minister) was right hand.
• Yadav King Krishna compares his prime minister to his
own tongue and right hand.
• Asokas extravagant charity was curbed by his ministers
• Chulvagga: Bimbisara dismiss some ministers for
giving bad advise, degrade some for inefficiency and
promote others for good service.
• Rajtarangini: sometimes ministers were banished and
their properties confiscated for their unsuited advise.

30. Conclusion
• Matriparishad regarded a essential for good
government
• Ministers were the pillars of the state.
• Koutilya: Shahastr Chakshu (1000 eys)
• Normally king accept their advice.
• Arthshashtra: Duty of the ministers to control the king
and to see that he did not follows the wrong path.
• Kamandak: Ministers are the real friends of the King.
• Ministers through administrations protect and
promote the policies of the State.