Protocol in Political Matters

Protocol In Political Matters

In general sense, protocol is a code of propriety, good manners and etiquettes secured by reciprocity and common understanding and approval of the community, which regulates behavior patterns at different levels. Protocol has in wider application influence on spiritual, social, political , legal, diplomatic etc. matters.

In its political application, protocol has national and inter-national spheres. In national sphere, it provides for ruler and the ruled relation, duties of the ruler and ruled and in international sphere, it emphasizes on international relations, laws of war and peace, international disputes, international agreements, diplomatic relations spy system etc. as discussed below:

Duties of the ruler (rajah): In national protocol, we have at first the duties of the ruler. The main jobs of the ruler are:

1. To see that all the people act as per varna and ashramas verdict.

2. To protect the ruled from external aggression.

3. To perform acts of welfare of the ruled, such opening of schools, hospital, construction of roads etc.

4. Perform yagyas to keep all gods in his favor so that there is rain in time and as required, production of sufficient food grains, no famine, no diseases etc.

5. Manage finances of the kingdom and control the central exchequer.

6. To punish the criminals

7. To impose penalties for wrongs done and arranging their accountal on receipt.

8. To receive the general tax – a part of the produce from the public.

Organization of Government: In the discharge of these multifarious duties, the ruler is assisted by ministers, advisors, secretaries, and subordinates. There were Finance, Internal Security, Foreign Affairs, Education, Transport, Health Defense , Vigilance etc departments

Spy System: To control any unlawful activities in the kingdom, the ruler has Police organization. The policemen used to go around in their areas to see that no unlawful activities were going on and if so, he could set those right or bring the same to the notice of the ruler. The ruler also had spy system working in the kingdom and in other countries, who would bring each and every activity in the kingdom and abroad to the notice of the ruler. Over all these, there was the Vigilance department, who oversaw the behavior of the public servants vis-a-vis the public and to see that there was no extraction by these public servants.

Finance: The ruler used to get a portion of products (generally one-sixth) from the producers to meet the expenditure of the Government. Such money was not spent by the ruler for his personal uses so much so this money could not be spent even on yasgyas conducted by the rajah. Such yagyas and personal expenditure were met from the amounts collected from the vassal states and out of other taxes levied by the rajah. Once Rajah Yudhisthara wanted to hold an Ashwamedh Yagya, but there was no money in the exchequer other than the 1/6th share obtained from the producers. The rajah then had to find the money from other resources. Proper accountal of all the money was maintained in the treasury under the over-all control of the rajah.

Defense : The rajah had to maintain an army for the protection of the kingdom from external aggression. The major part of the Rajah' income was spent of army and arms. For internal security Police was kept.

External Affairs : The rajah had to deal with the rajahs of other countries. There was a system of vassal states under the Chakravarty rajah The vassal states were autonomous but had to send annual contribution to the central rajha as also give presents on yagyas etc. In return these vassal states were protected by the central rajah against foreign aggression..For knowing what is happening in other countries, the rajah had proper system of Rahdoots, who kept the rajah aware if anything against him was being hatched in that country. The rajahs also had persons posted in other countries. They had diplomatic immunity like the one granted these days and called Ambassadorial Immunities. These persons could not be prosecuted in those countries and were sent back to their respective countries for necessary action.

Welfare Jobs for the public : The rajah was responsible for the well-being of the public. For this Gurukuls were opened for education, where wards of all people irrespective of their varnas received education.. There were hospital for treatment of the patients. Roads were constructed for convenience of public. Rivers were tamed for providing water for drinking and irrigation The rajah through yagyas kept the rain god on his right hand so that rains were there on time and in adequate quantity. There were no famines as production was enough.

Democracy at Work : Although there was the rule of rajahs in ancient period, democracy was prevalent in a limited way. The rajah was selected by the outgoing rajah with the consent of the advisors or Sabha. When Rajah Dasratha wanted to make Rama as rajah, he consulted Guru Vashist, who advised him to obtain the approval of his ministers etc. Then these advisors or Sabha members were elected persons from different professions They used to advise the rajah on day to day conduct of duties. In case the rajah did not behave well, these advisors had the power to remove/kill him An instance of Rajah Bain is there. He had become cruel towards public and did not mend his ways despite warning. He, therefore had to be killed and another person, who was still a minor was made the rajah as the rajah had to be from the same dynasty. In this way the advisors had the power of eliminating the bad rajah and make another person as rajah

The rajah attacked the other kingdoms either to annexe the kingdom in his kingdom or to hand over the conquered kingdom to the defeated rajah after taking some presents from him or making him his vassal state. In case of death of the rajah in the battle, his son was made the rajah to rule as a vassal state. In case the kingdom was annexed in his kingdom on conquering another kingdom,, the people were not made slaves and were given the same rights to rule as the people of the original kingdom had, unlike the present system of colonialism.

Judiciary: there was a system of panchayats in the villages, who decided all matters. above the villages, there was a mukhia of ten villages, to which appeal could go in case the petitioner was not satisfies with the decision of the panchayat. Then there was Mukhia of hundred villages and the rajah was at the top of the judiciary. There were Samritis for the guidance of the Mukhias in the discharge of his duties. In a petition, there were four gradient to be disposed off. At first there was a petition. Then the defendant was asked to produce defense with in a fortnight and this could be extended by another fortnight if asked. After that there was no extension and the case was decided ex-parte. In case defense was produced , then the matter was argued in the court and a decision was given without any undue delay.

International Politics : The rajah had interaction with the rajahs of other countries in trade, assistance in battles, etc. For this agreements were entered into like the ones entered into by Rama with Sugriva on the death of Bali and Vibhisana on the death of Ravana. These agreements in the present period witnessed by other persons. In the agreements entered by Rama, these were entered into in the presence of water or agni. As already indicated there was a system of vassal states also. Foe the wars there were laws of war like one man to fight with one, one of horse to fight with another on horse; one with arrow to fight with another with arrow. Detailed rules were made at the time of the start of Mahabharta. Their breach as taken seriously and in case one caused any branch, the other was entitled to commit such breach too. Similarly there were rules to be observed in times of peace too.

Duties of Public : There were proper duties assigned to the public like all irrespective of Vara they belonged to, participated in battles against the enemy. In Mahabharta, all persons had joined the war. We were subjected to Muslim rule because at that time war, was to be fought by Kshatriyas only and as such three-fourth of the public were out of the battles. They infarct were not concerned as to who rules them because they were not made to fight. This led to the defeat of Rajput rajahs.