The Palace (Saaphri Part 8)

By Yugal Joshi

“Maharaj, revenue collection is a specialized job. I don’t know how soldiers will do that? Secondly, revenue collectors also look after many other welfare functions of the state. Therefore, replacing them with soldiers is not advisable.”

“What do you say, Ram?” Dasaratha was exploring for support.

Looking into his father’s eyes, Ram firmly replied,

“I agree with amatya. Soldiers are recruited for a specific purpose and their meddling in civil administration is not good. This proposal will initiate internal conflict between the royal departments. Further, direct and prolong contact of soldiers with people will be detrimental for the security of the state. As incident of Lahari suggests, there is a danger of them becoming brutal tyrants and robbers at local level.”

Ram looked into everyone’s eyes. Truth needs to be told howsoever it may sound unpleasant to ears.

“There are three important questions to ponder. The first question is whether we Ikshwaku guarantee and are able to safeguard the interests of our residents. Secondly, why do we need territorial expansion? Specially, when that expansion is beyond our managing capabilities and makes us dependent on outsiders, as army chief has indicated. Thirdly, I am unable to understand, to whom these independent soldiers and their commanders will be loyal in the long run?”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Yugal Joshi
• Release date: Oct 8, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370152889

Yugal Joshi

Born and grown up in a remote village of India on Indo-Nepal border in the high Himalayas, Yugal Joshi is engineer by training and bureaucrat by profession. He studied at Kumaon University, Nainital, Harcourt Butler Technological University, Kanpur, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, Delhi University and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore. A water enthusiast, he has co-authored many research papers in International journals and co-authored an authoritative and critically acclaimed book Singapore Water Story. He is also a co-author of the book Creating Shared Values, on how Nestle has transformed Moga and nearby areas. His book Ram: The Soul of Time brings out Lord Rama story in modern perspective. This book was released by Sant Morari Bapu at Kagdham, Gujarat. His fourth book is Women Warriors in Indian History, published by Rupa, India.

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