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Which one of the following activities was not a part of the daily time-table for a King as prescribed in Arthashastra? a) Receive reports on defense b) Visit the town incognito c) Receive revenue in cash d) Consult his Council of Ministers
Explanation
In Kautilya's Arthashastra, the king's daily routine is meticulously divided into eight parts for both day and night. The prescribed duties include receiving reports on defense and military affairs, consulting with his Council of Ministers (Mantriparishad), and overseeing financial matters such as revenue and expenditure. While the Arthashastra emphasizes a robust surveillance system and the use of spies to gather intelligence, it does not prescribe that the king himself should 'visit the town incognito' as a part of his standard daily timetable. Instead, the king is advised to remain protected and rely on his network of secret agents for ground-level information. The routine focuses on formal administrative functions like hearing petitions, appointing officials, and deliberating on state policy with advisors. Therefore, visiting the town incognito is the activity not included in the formal daily schedule.
Sources
- [1] https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/57591/1/Unit1.pdf