The (royal, governing, advisory) Council included five people who represented five groups plus one important individual:
- Chief Minister: civil administration that included several ministries (treasury, justice, mines, etc.)
- Chief Priest: helped the king to perform yagna (sacrificial prayers/offerings) and attended to religious education and related duties.
- Ambassador: his team ensured friendly relations with neighbouring kings.
- Chief Messenger: he managed news gathering and the spy network (internal and external).
- Army Commander: includes officers commanding the forts, the frontiers, the kaval (police) and the various contingents (foot, horse, elephant and chariot).
- The Queen
Often the queen was present to lend a female view-point and her in-born empathy to temper the aggressive male egos. Trained in the art of gestures, council members seldom heard her voice but she was loud even when silent. Considering that early South Indian society evolved from matriarchal family units, the queen’s presence in court deliberations was not extraordinary.
There were other functionaries whom the king summoned for advice when required, but these people were not permanent council members.
The Chief Minister and his ministers were the key administrators in the state. Young men spent a lifetime under rigorous tutelage and physical training to realise their dream of attaining ministership. The physical exertion came from doing menial tasks (to inculcate humility) and training in martial arts. Every minister was a trained warrior and military strategist.
The ministers, known as kalai-kannaalar (he who has the eye of knowledge), had to master all sixty-four arts of life, referred to as “aaya-kalaigal”. Even after attaining ministership, a student went back to his mentor for continued training. Learning was a lifelong pursuit for them.
Not all young men chose politics. Many joined the academies of literature and sciences, the military, and even engaged in commerce.
Next week: The 64 Arts of Life
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Copyright @ Eric Alagan, 2019