Modern administration has ancient roots
?FOUNDATION OF present form of administration in India was laid in ancient times and it is not just the result of administrative concepts introduced by the British or by the Mughals.?
“FOUNDATION OF present form of administration in India was laid in ancient times and it is not just the result of administrative concepts introduced by the British or by the Mughals.”
Dr Yogendra Narain, Secretary General of Rajya Sabha and former Chief Secretary of UP stated this while delivering a lecture on ‘Administration in India: Evolution and growth’ at Allahabad Museum on Saturday. The lecture was held under Pt Braj Mohan Vyas Memorial Lecture- 2006.
Dr Narain affirmed that there were ample historical evidences available which suggest that republican forms of government, democratic self-governing institutions and representative bodies existed in many parts of India from as early as the Vedic age.
Dr Narain dealt in detail regarding the system of administration starting from as early as Vedic times which was signified by the election of rulers. He divulged the successful monarchial regimes during the time of Kautilya while elaborating on the benevolent but despotic administration during the reign of Sher Shah and Akbar.
According to him, the curious mix of the rule of law and affect of caste politics in India’s administration today should be accorded to the rule of British administrators.
“It is however significant to note that the British administrators left a deep impact on the Indian administrative set up. They combined the caste-based democratic traditions of ancient India with liberal, progressive and strong rights to individual liberty propounded by them,” he added.
“It is expected that with the advent of globalisation in the country, Indian administration while retaining its originality, would enable our polity to face the challenges of the future and make way for a resurgent India in the comity of nations,” concluded Dr Narain.
Discussions regarding the topic followed the lecture.
Earlier, the event kicked off with floral tributes paid at the portrait of Pt Braj Mohan Vyas, the personality who takes the credit of establishing the Allahabad Museum. DR SK Sharma, director of Allahabad Museum introduced the topic and acquainted the audience about the unparallel contributions of Pt Vyas.
Later, Sunit Vyas, member of Executive Committee of the museum emphasised the intimate relationship between the families of Dr Narain and Pt Braj Mohan Vyas.
“Dr Narain was thus the most suited personality to be invited for the lecture,” said Vyas.
In the concluding speech Prof RK Verma, chairman of the museum recalled the striking features of the overall personality of Pt Vyas and informed the audience about the unique habit of Pt Vyas as the collector of rare art pieces.
Dr Verma also elaborated on the various galleries being developed in the museum such as Rock Art Gallery, Allahabad, through images, etc., which according to him would act as a crowd-puller.