Page:Asoka - the Buddhist Emperor of India.djvu/55

Rh The Kalinga Provincials' Edict, by a supplementary clause, modified the general orders and instructed the Princes of Ujjain and Taxila to have the transfers carried out at intervals of three years only. Elaborate arrangements were made for ensuring full publicity to the royal commands.

Another important administrative measure was taken in the fourteenth 'regnal year' ( 256) by the appointment for the first time of special officers of high rank, entitled Dharma-mahâmâtras, that is to say, mahâmâtras, or superior officials, exclusively engaged in the enforcement of the edicts concerning dharma, or the Law of Piety, and additional to the ordinary civil mahâmâtras. These officers may be described conveniently as Censors, and similar appointments have been made under the name of Dharmâdhikârîs in Kashmîr and other Hindu states in modern times. Asoka attached high importance to the organization of the body of Censors, who received very comprehensive instructions to enforce the Law of Piety among all religious denominations, among the Yonas and other border tribes, and even in the households of the sovereign's brothers, sisters, and other relatives. They were assisted by subordinate officials termed Dharmayuktas.

In the following year (fifteenth 'regnal,' 255)