CONCEPT OF STATE AND
GOVERNMENT IN
ANCIENT INDIA
MAURAYAN STATE
BY:TARUN PRATAP
THE FORMATION OF STATE WAS COMPLETED AROUND 500 B.C.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FULL-FLEDGED STATE SYSTEM WITH ALL FOUR
ESSENTIAL FACTORS OF THE STATE NAMELY A TERRITORY,A POPULATION
,UNITY AND ORGANISATION IN A COMPLETELY EVOLVED FORM WAS A
DISTINGUISHING FEATURE OF THE MAURAYAN AGE.
ACOORDING TO THE ARTHSHASTRA OF KAUTILYA THE STATE CONSISTED OF
THE SEVEN LIMBS (SAPTANGA)--------THE KING(SWAMIN)
THE MINISTER(AMATYA)THE TERRITORY OR THE COUNTRY(JANAPADA OR
RASHTRA)
THE FORT(DURGA)
THE TREASURY(KOSHA)
THE ARMY(BALA)
THE ALLY(MITRA)
THE IDEA BEHIND THE SAPTANGA THEORY WAS THAT WITHOUT A PROPER
ORGANISATION ,ASTATE OF LAWLESSNESS(MATSYANYAYA)WOULD SET IN
AND THAT HINDERS THE THE DEVELOPMENT OF STATE’S PERSONALITY.
IN THE MAURAYAN POLITY THE KING WAS
CONSIDERED ALL-POWERFUL THOUGH THE
ARTHSHASTRA LAY EMPHASIS ON THE
CONCEPTION OF THE KING AS THE SERVANT OF
THE STATE WHICH WAS ONE OF THE BASIC
PRINCIPLES OF ANCIENT INDIAN POLITICAL
THOUGHT.
THE EXALTATION OF THE ROYAL AUTHORITYIS A
STRIKING FEATURE OF THE NATURE OF THE
MAURYAN STATE THE ARTHSHASTRA GRANTS THE
POWER OF LEGISLATION BY EDICTS AND DECREES
,A POWER WHICH WAS NEVER ENJOYED BY THE
KING BEFORE IN INDIA
THE MAURAYAN STATE HAD DEVELOPED A HIGHLY ORGANIZED
BUREAUCRATIC ADMINISTRATION CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING THE STABILITY
OF THE EMPIRE SPANNING THE LENGTH AND BREATH OF THE LAND AND
CONTROLLING ALL SPHERES OF LIFE.
IN ONE PASSAGE THE ARTHASHASTRA SPEAKS OF 18
TIRTHS(DEPARTMENTS) AND IN ADDITION MAKES PROVISION FOR 27
SUPERINTENDENTS(ADHYAKAS).
THEY WERE CONCERNED WITH THE ECONOMIC,MILITARY AND SOCIAL
FUNCTIONS.
OF THE CHIEF DEPARTMENTS CHARGED WITH THE ECONOMIC FUNCTIONS
ARE THOSE OF COMMERCE,FOREST PRODUCE,WEAVING
AGRICULTURE,PASTURELANDS,MINES,OCEANIC MINES,METALS,MINTS
,SALTS,WASTELANDS,TOLLS AND EXERCISE
THE CHIEF MILITARY DEPARTMENTS ARE THOSE OF
ARMOURY,HORSES,ELEPHANTS,CHARIOTS AND INFANTRY.
THE ADMINISTRATION SHOWED EQUAL CONCERN FOR THE HEALTH OF THE
SOCIETY BECOMES EVIDENT FROM THE APPOINTMENT OF
SUPERINTENDENTS TO CONTROL THE PROSTITUTES,GAMBLING
DENS,LIQUOR SHOPS ETC.
THE POLICE WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT CIVIC
ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT.IT PREVENTED THE
COMMISSION OF CRIMES AND BRINGING THE
TRANSGRESSORS OF LAW TO JUSTICE.IF THEY FAIL TO
TRACE THE THIEF,THEY HAD TO MAKE GOOG THE LOSS.
IN ORDER TO SUPRESS CRIME THE ARTHASHASTRA ADVISES
THE IMPOSITION OF STRINGENT CURFEWFROM ABOUT TWO
AND A HALF HOURS AFTER THE SUNSET TO THE SAME TIME
BEFORE THE DAWN.
THERE WAS AN EFFICIENTLY ORGANISED ESPIONAGE
SYSTEM AND THE SPIES IN DISGUISE HELPED THE POLICE IN
THE DETECTION OF CRIMES
KAUTILA ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE SELECTION
OF THE SUPERINTENDENTS .HE LAYS DOWN
QUALIFICATIONS AND PRESCRIBES RULES FOR THEIR
PROMOTION .
THIS HIGHLY ORGANISED BUREAUCRACY APPEARS TO HAVE
TIED WITH THE RED-TAPE THAT IS WHY KAUTILYA SUGGESTS
THAT EACH DEPARTMENT WAS WAS TO BE OFFICERED BY
SEVERAL TEMPORARY HEADS.
HE ALSO TALKS ABOUT THE TRANSFER OF THE
GOVERNMENT SERVANTS.
THE TEXTS SAYS THAT NO SUPERINTENDENT SHALL BE
ALLOWED TO TAKE DECISION WITHOUT BRINGING IT TO THE
KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR MASTERS EXCEPT REMEDIAL
MEASURES AGAINST IMMINENT DANGERS.
THE BOOK GAVE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE PAYS
OF DIFFERENT DIGNITARIES AND OFFICERS.
THE HIGHER FUNCTIONARIES SUCH AS THE PRIEST,THE
TEACHER,THE MINISTER,THE COMMANDER OF THE ARMED
FORCES ,THE HEIR-APPARENT PRINCE ,THE MOTHER OF THE
KING,AND THE QUEEN RECEIVED 48000 PANS MONTHLY.
THE LOWER OFFICIALS LIKE THE PALACE WORKERS
ATTENDENTSAND THE BODT-GUARDS RECEIVED ONLY 60
PANAS.
A MESSENGER OF THE MIDDLE QUALITY WAS GIVEN ONLY 10
OR 20 PANAS.
THE RATIO BETWEEN THE HIGHEST AND THE LOWEST
SERVANT OF THE GOVERNMENT THEREFORE WORKED OUT
TO BE 1:48000 WHICH SHOWS A YAWNING GAP BETWEEN THE
TWO.
THE NAVY TRANSPORT AND THE COMMISSARIAT
ARE THE MAURYAN INNOVATIONS.
THERE WERE ELABORATE RULES AND
REGULATIONS FOR THE TRAINING AND
DRILLINGOF SOLDIERS AND THAT SPECIAL
ATTENTION WAS PAID BY THE MILITARY
AUTHORITIES TO THE SICK AND WOUNDED IN THE
ARMY AND FOR THIS THE ARMY WAS
SUPPLEMENTED BY A CONTINGMENT OF DOCTORS
AND NURSES.
MUNITIONS OF WAR WERE MADE A STATE
ARSENALS AND THERE WAS A STATE
CONTROLOVER THE ARTISANS WHO PRODUCED
WEAPONS
DHAMASTHAYA WERE THE CIVIL COURTS
AND KANTAKSHODHAN WERE THE
CRIMINAL COURTS WHICH DIFFERED FROM
THE CIVIL COURTS BY THEIR MORE
SUMMARY PRODUCE AND SPEEDY
DISPOSAL.
OFFICERS CHARGED WITH THE
MURDER,THEFTS,DACOITY AND THE
SEXUAL OFFENCES APPEARED BEFORE
THE LATTER.
THE OFFICERS LIKE PRADESTA
PERFORMED BOTH POLICE AND
REVENUE
FUNCTIONS.SIMILARLY,OFFICIALS
LIKE SAMAHARTA,THE STHANIKA AND
THE GOPA PERFORMED BOTH THE
FISCAL AND POLICE AND
MAGISTERIAL FUNCTIONS.
CITY ADMINISTRATION
THE INCREASINGLY COMPLEX SOCIAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES
OF THE STATE COUPLED WITH THE NEED OF THE URBAN
SETTLEMENTS NECESSIATED THE CREATION OF A
MACHINARY FOR THE ADMINITRATION OF THE TOWNS
,WHICH WAS PERHAPS THE INNOVATION OF THE MAURYAS.
MEGASTHENES GAVE A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE OF
THE MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION OF PATLIPUTRA.
HE SAYS THAT THE CITY OF PATLIPUTRA WAS ADMINISTERED
BY THE COMMITTEE OF THIRTY MEMBERS DIVIDED INTO SIX
COMMITTEES OF FIVE MEMBERS EACH.
THE KAUTILYA DOES NOT ENVISAGE THE INVOLVEMENT OF
LOCAL ELEMENTS IN THE CITY ADMINISTRATION.
THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT THERE WAS NAGARIKA,THE
GOVERNOR OF THE CITY.
HIS RESPONSIBILITIES WERE THAT OF THE REVENUE
COLLECTION ,PRESERVATION OF LAW AND ORDER AND THE
SUPERVISION OF THE SANITATION ARRANGEMENTS.
THE NAGARIKA WAS ASSISTED IN THE ADMINISTRATION BY
TWO OFFICIALS CALLED STHANIKA AND GOPA.
THE GOPA WAS CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF
THE COLLECTION OF THE REVENUE NA THE SUPERVISION
OF THE FORTY HOUSEHOLDS EACH.
THE STHANIKA ATTENDED TO THE ACCOUNTS OF THE FOUR
QUARTERS OF THE TOWN.
A NEW SET OF OFFICIALS CALLED ANTAMAHAMATRAS WAS
APPOINTED SO AS TO SET THE BORDER PEOPLE RIGHT.
MAURAYAS POSSES THE WORLD’S MOST ANCIENT THEORY ON PUBLIC
FINANCE.
KAUTILYA MADE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE WAR ECONOMY AND THE
PEACE ECONOMY AND SAID THAT THE STABILITY OF THE ADMINISTRATION
DEPENDS ON THE TREASURY.
HE DEMONSTRATES GREAT INGENUITY IN DEVISING AND JUSTIFYING MEANS
FOR AUGUMENTING THE WEALTH OF THE STATE.
HE DOES NOT NEGLECT ANY SOURCE BECAUSE OF ITS SMALLNESS AND
LEAVES NOTHING OUT OF TAXATION.
HE BROUGHT RURAL AND URBAN AREAS IN ADDITION TO ARTISANS,AND
TRADERS UNDER THE TAX NET.
THE MANUAL LABOURES HAD TO WORK IN THE STATE FARMS FOR ONE DAY.
THE SANNIDHATA(CUSTODIAN OF THE TREASURY) AND THE SAMAHARTA
(THE CHIEF REVENUE COLLECTOR)WERE THE IMPORTANT OFFICIALS OF
THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.
KAUTILA ADVOCATED THE GRADUAL SYSTEM OF TAXATION.
THE TRADERS TAXED NOT ON THEIR GROSS EARNINGBUT ON THE NET
PROFITS AND THE ARTICLES WAS TAXED ONLY ONCE.
THIS LARGE SYSTEM OF TAXATION WAS FOR MAINTAINING THE ARMY AND
THE BUREAUCRACY.
CONCLUSION
MAURAYAN SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATION WAS
HIGHLY CENTRALIZEDAND THEY RECOGNIZED THE
NEED FOR UNIFORMITY IN ADMINISTRATIVE
INSTITUTIONS.
WE GET A COMPLETE PICTURE OF THE
ADMINISTRATION OF PROVINCES(JANAPADAS)AND
THE DISTRICTS,BUT LITTLE ATTENTION WAS GIVEN
TO THE VILLAGE INSTITUIONS.
ASHOKA SHOWED TRACES OF DECENTRALISATION
WHEN HE GRANTED LARGE EXECUTIVE AND
JUDIACIL POWERS TO THE RAJUKAS.
POST MAURAYAN PERIOD
IT WAS AGE OF TRIUMPH FOR
BRAHAMINISM AS THE FOUNDER OF THE
SHUNGA AND KANVA DYNASTY IN THE
NORTH AND THE SATVAHANAS IN THE
DECCAN,WERE BRAHAMANS.
THE BRAHAMANS BEGAN ASCRIBING
DIVINE ATTRIBUTES TO THE KING AND THIS
CREATED A FERTILE SOIL FOR THE
GERMINATION OF FOREIGN IDEAS ON
DIVINITY BROUGHT BY THESCYTHIANS.
THE SATVAHANAS
THE SATVAHANAS ESTABLISHED AN EXTENSIVE EMPIRE THAT EXTENDED
UPTO THE SANCHI IN THE NORTH TO KONKAN IN THE SOUTH..
THEY WERE THE FIRST GREAT POWER OF THE DECCAN WHO ESTABLISH
THEIR SUPREMACY OVER BOTH THE NORTH AND SOUTH INDIA.
THIS WITNESSED THE INTENSE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY BETWEEN INDIA AND
THE WESTERN WORLD,WHICH CONTRIBUTED LARGELY TO THE ECONOMIC
PROSPERITY OF THE LAND.
THE SATVAHANAS MODELLED THEIR SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT ON THE
MAURYAN TRADITION ,ATTHOUGH THEY INTRODUCED SEVERAL
INNOVATIONS.
THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THEM IS THAT THEY MADE THE ASSOCIATION OF
WOMEN ,PARTICULARLY THE QUEENS AND THE WIVES OF THE HIGH
DIGNATORIES AND THE MERCHANT BODIES IN THE
ADMINISTRATION(METRONYMIC PREFIXES LIKE
GAUTMIPUTRA,VASHISTIPUTRA ETC)
THEY ALSO ENTRUSTED THE RURAL ADMINISTRATION TO MILITARY MEN.
THEY ALSO GRANTED THE FISCAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE IMMUNITIES TO THE
BENEFICIARIES OF THE VILLAGE.(THE GRANT OF AGRAHARA BHUMIS TO THE
BRAHAMANS BECAME VERY EXTENSIVE DURING THESE DAYS).
ADMINISTRATIVE
ARRANGEMENT OF
SATVAHANAS
THE VARIOS OFFICIALS MENTIONED DURING THEIR REIGN
AREAMATYAS,RAJAMATYAS,MAHAMATRA,BHANDAGARIKA,HERINIKA,
MAHASENAPATI,LEKHAKA,NIBANDHAKARAS ETC.
IT IS WORTHY TO NOTE THAT PERHAPS AT NO OTHER TIME IN THE
HISTORY OF DECCANDO EPIGRAPHIC RECORDS AND EXCAVATIONS
REVEALS SO MANY TOWNS IN THE DECCAN.
THE AHARAS CORRESPOND TO THE RASHTRA OF THE PALLAVA
RECORDS.THE AHARAS WERE FURTHER DIVIDED INTO THE
NIGAMS(TOWNS) AND THE TO GAMAS AND GRAMAS.
THE NIGAM HAD AN ASSEMBLY CALLED NIGAMSABHA,WHICH ACTED
AS THE MOUTHPIECE OF THE CITIZENS.
ANOTHER FEATURE OF THE SATVAHANAS POLITY WAS THAT THE
USE OF THE TITLE MAHA (GREAT( BY THE STATE
OFFICIALS,INCLUDING THE FEUDATORIES.THE USE OF THE PREFIX
MAHA INTRODUCES GRADED AND UNEQUAL RELATIONSHIP AND
MARKS THE BEGINNING OF THE TITLES WHICH BECAME POPULAR
IN FEUDAL HIERARCHY IN THE EARLY MEDIEVAL PERIOD.
THE KUSHANAS
THE KUSHANS PUT INTO PRACTISE A DECENTRALIZED SCHEME OF
ADMINISTRATION WITH THE POWERS DISTRIBUTED AMONG DIFFERENT
UNITS FORMING ADMINISTRATIVE HIERARCHY.THIS SCHEME OF POLITY DID
NOT ERODE THE AUTHORITY OR AFFECT THE POWERS OF THE KING WHO
REMAINED ABSOLUTE.
THE KUSHANA STATE ESTABLISHED ABSOLUTE MONARCHY AND THE
KINGSHIP WAS CENTRED ROUND DIVINE RIGHT THEOREY.THE KUSHANAS
CLAIM TO DIVINITY IS SEEN IN THEIR STARTING THE PRACTISE OF SETTING
UP DEVAKULAS IN WHICH THE STATUES OF THEIR DECEASED RULERS WERE
PRESERVED AND WORSHIPPED AS THOSE OF GODS.
THE POLITICAL SYSTEM OF THE KUSHANAS WAS BASED ON THE PRINCIPLE
OF DECENTRALISATION WHERE AUTONOMOUS AND SEMI-AUTONOMOUS
STATES SURVIVED WITHIN THE KINGDOM.THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT SEEMS TO OFFER PROPER DEFENCE.
THE KUSHANS CONTINUED THE SATRAPAL SYSTEM OF ADMINISTRATION
WHICH WAS INTRODUCED IN INDIA BY THE SCYTHIANS.THE HEAD OF THE
SATRAPY ENJOYED THE TITLE OF KSHATRAPA AND MAHAKSHATRAPA.
THEREARE INSTANCES OF TWO KSTRAPAS RULING OVER THE SAME
PROVINCE CONJOINTLY ENJOYING THE EQUAL STATUS.THE SCHEME WAS
DEVISED SO THAT ONE ACTED AS A CHECK ON THE POWER OF THE OTHER.
THERE ARE REFERENCES TO THE VICEROYALTY.THE
VICEROYS WERE GENERALLY ARMY LEADERS HAVING
COMMAND AND CONTROL OVER THE FORCES.
THE TERM DANDNAYAKA IS FREQUENTLY USED INITS
DIFFERENT FORMS IN THE INSCRIPTIONS.PROBABLY THEY
WERE ENTRUSTED WITH THE TASK OF GOVERNING
DIFFERENT TERRITORIAL UNITS.THEY SEEMED TO HAVE
PLACED IN CHARGE OF JUDICIAL AND POLICE
ADMINISTRATION.
THE CITIES AROSE OUT OF MILITARY NECESSITY AND THEY
MUST HAVE SERVED AS CENTRES OF TRADE AS WELL.
THE KUSHANAS ADOPTED THE INDIAN IDEAL OF LEAST
DISTURBANCE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGES WHO
FLOURISHED UNDER THEIR OWN HEADMEN,GRAMIKA,WHO
WAS THE HEREDITORY CHIEF.
THE SAKA DYNASTY
THE SAKA DYNASTY GENERALLY KNOWN AS THE WESTERN SATRAPS WHO
GAINED CONTROLOF KATHIAWAR AND MALWA,CAME TO PROMINENCE
UNDER THEIR GREATEST RULER,RUDRAMAN I.
THIS HAS BEEN ATTESTED TO BY HIS EXCEPTIONALLY IMPORTANT
DOCUMENT,THE GIRNAR ROCK INSCRIPTION.THIS INSCRIPTION SPEAKS OF
THE RECONSTRUCTION OF EMBANKMENT TO LAKE SUDARSHAN.,PROVIDING
THE FUNDS FROM HIS OWN PURSE ,TO REMOVE THE DESPAIR OF THE
PEOPLE.
THE INSCRIPTION SAID THAT THE RUDRAMAN WAS THE ELECTED KING .THIS
PERHAPS SUGGESTED THAT RUDRAMAN ESTABLISHED A CONSTITUTIONAL
TYPE OF MONARCHY.
THERE WAS MINISTERIAL COUNCIL, WHICH CHECKED ROYAL
ABSOLUTISM.THE MENTIONING OF TWO TYPES OF MINISTERS,MATISACHIVS
AND KARMSACHIVS IN THE INSCRIPTIONS IS VERY SIGNIFICANT.
THE EMERGENCY TAX CALLED PRANAYA AND FORCED LABOUR(VISTI)ARE
SAID TO HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION IN THE DOMINION OF THE WESTERN
SATRAPS.
THUS THE ERA OF POST-MAURAYAN PERIOD SHOWS THAT
THE CENTRALISATION WHICH WAS A CHRACTERSTIC
FEATURE OF THE MAURAYAN POLITY YIELDED TO
DECENTRALISATION AND THE LARGE BUREAUCRACY WHICH
MANNED THE SHIP OF THE MAURAYAN STATE DONE AWAY
WITHAS THE KINGDOM WHICH WERE SMALL FOUND IT
DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN IT.
THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND A GOOD PART OF
ADMINISTRATION OF THE STATE WERE NOW TAKEN BY THE
MERCHANT BODIES IN THE URBAN AREAS AND BY THE
RELIGIOUS BENEFECIARIES IN THE RURAL AREAS.THESE
DEVELOPMENTS PAVED THE WAY FOR THE FEUDAL TRAITS
OF THE GUPTA POLITY.
GUPTA POLTY
BY:TARUN PRATAP
A MEANINGFUL STUDY OF THE GUPTA POLITY HAS TO TAKE
NOTE OF CERTAIN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD
OF ECONOMIC,POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUG FIELDS.
THE CHIEF ELEMENT IN THE ECONOMIC BACKGROUND OF
THE GUPTA POLITY WAS THE EXCESSIVE PRE-OCCUPATION
OF THE PEOPLE WITH THE LAND.
THE GUPTA KINGS GRANTED THE LAND TO THE BRAHAMANS
IN THE BACKWARD AREAS.
THEY ALSO RECOGNIZED THE PRIVATE RIGHT IN LAND AND
PERMITTED THE SALE AND PURCHASE OF LAND FOR THE
RELIGIOUS PURPOSES.
HENCE THE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE HAD TO BE SO
DESIGNED AS TO ACCOMMODATE THIS EMERGING NEW
PHENOMENA.
THOUGH THERE WAS DECREASE IN
THE VOLUME OF TRADE WITH THE
OUTSIDE WORLD,ARTS AND CRAFTS
MADE VALUABLE STRIDES UNDER
THE PROTECTIVE UBRELLA OF THE
GUILD SYSTEM.
A FACT OF CHIEF IMPORTANCE IN THE POLITICAL
SITUATION OF THE GUPTA PERIOD WAS THE
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE POLITICAL UNITY IN THE
COUNTRY WITH THE DIGVIJAYA OF
SAMUDRAGUPTA AND THE EXPEDITIONS OF
CHANDRAGUPTA II IN THE WESTERN INDIA.
THE ASSUMPTION OF THE HIGH SOUNDING TITLES
LIKE
MAHARAJADHIRAJA,RAJADHIRAJA,PARAMMARAJA
DHIRAJA,RAJADHIRAJARSHI COUPLED WITH THE
PARAMDAIVATA,PARAMESHWARA,PARAMBHATTARA
KA HAD LED SCHOLORS TO BELIEVE THAT THESE
TITLES EMPHASISE THE DIVINE NATURE OF THE
MONARCHY.
THE WORKING OF THE GOVERNMENT SUGGEST THAT THE
GUPTA KINGS WERE NO DESPOTS OR ABSOLUTE
MONARCHS.THEY RESPECTED THE ESTABLISHED LAWS AND
THE CUSTOMS OF THE LAND.THEY WERE CULTURED AND
OBSERVED VIRTUOUS CONDUCT AND SELF-RESTRAINT.
THEORETICALLY,HE OBSERVED RULES LAID DOWN BY THE
SMRITIS,THOUGH, IN ACTUAL PRACTISE THE
BRAHAMANS,THE INTERPRETERS OF LAW ,ACTED AS A
CHECK ON ROYAL POWER.
THE KING HAS TO CONTEND WITH THE MERCHANT AND
CRAFTS GUILDS WHICH HAD A LEGAL STATUS WHOSE LAWS
AND YSAGES WERE BINDING ON HIM,AN THE
BENEFECIARIES AND FEUDATORIES WHO WIELDED
CONSIDERABLE POWER.HIS AUTHORITY WAS THUS
CIRCUMSCIBED BY THESE CHECKS.
THERE WAS A MANTRIPARISHAD WHO ALSO
ACTED AS A CHECK ON THE DESPOTIC
ACTIVITIES OF THE KING.
THE POST OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
WERE HEREDITARY AND THEY WERE
PRESIDED OVER BY THE MANTRIMUKHYA
OR THE PRIME MINISTER.
HIGHER FUNCTIONARIES WERE OFTEN
REFERRED TO AS THE MAHAMTRAS(UNDER
ASHOKA) AND KUMARAMATYAS(PRINCELY
MINISTERS) FROM THE GUPTAN TIMES.
THE GUPTAS MAINTAINED A WELL-EQUIPPED AND A STRONG
ARMY.THEY ALSO POSSED A FLEET.THE WAR OFFICE
LOOKED AFTER THE LIMBS OF THE ARMY IN ADDITION TO
THE COMMISSARIAT AND ADMIRALITY.THE GUPTA RECORDS
REFER TO A NUMBER OF ARMY OFFICIALS.
MAHABALADHIKARITA---------COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE
ARMY.
MAHABALADHYAKSHA---------SUPERINTENDENT OF THE ARMY.
PILUPATI-------COMMANDANT OF THE ELEPHANT CORPS
ASVAPATI---------IN-CHARGE OF THE CAVALRY.
RANABHANDARAKA---------IN-CHARGE OF WAR FINANCES.
OTHER OFFICERS MENTIONED ARE
MAHASARVADANDANAYAKA,SARVADHYAKSHA AND
BALADHIKARNA.
THERE WAS NO ELABORATE SYSTEM OF TAXATION
DURING THE GUPTA PERIOD.THE PRIMARY
SOURCE OF REVENUE WAS THE LAND TAX.
WE ONLY KNOW TWO KIND OF TAXES----BHAGA:A TAX PAID BY THE PRIVATE LANDOWNERS.
BHAGABHOGA:A TAX PAID ON CROWN LANDS.
IT APPEARS THAT THE TAXATION SYSTEM WAS
VERY LIGHT AS THE GUPTAS DID NOT MAINTAIN A
LARGE ADMINISTRATIVE ESTABLISHMENT.
IT MUST GO TO THE CREDIT OF GUPTAS FOR EVOLVING THE FIRST
SYSTEMATIC PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATION WHICH WAS
PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH THE COLLECTION OF REVENUE AND THE
MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER.
THE EMPIRE WAS DIVIDED INTO THE BHUKTIS(PROVINCES) WHICH WERE
SUB-DIVIDED INTOVISAYAS(DISTRICTS).
THE BHUKTIS WERE PLACED UNDER THE CHARGE OF UPARIKA MAHARAJA
AND THE VISAYAS WERE HEADED BY VISAYAPATIS.
THE OTHER OFFICIALS ARE AS FOLLOWS------VISAYADHIKARANA:OFFICER IN CHARGE OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
SAULIKA:SUPERINTENDENT OF TOLLS AND CUSTOMS.
GAULMIKA:SUPERINTENDENTS OF FORESTS AND WOOD.
DHRUVADHIKARANA:SUPERINTENDENT FOR THE COLLECTION OF THE
ROYAL SHARE OF THE PRODUCE
BHANDAGARADHIKRITA:OFFICER IN-CHARGE OF DISTRICT TREASURY.
UTKHETAPITA:COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
VISAYAS WERE DIVIDED INTO THE VITHIS.THE LAST UNIT OF
ADMINISTRATION WAS THE VILLAGE ,HEADED BY THE GRAMINI.
THE CITIES HAD THEIR OWN ADVISORY COUNCILS OR
PARISHADS.THE ADVISORY COUNCILSCONSISTED OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DIFFERENT INTERESTS OF THE
LOCALITY
THE IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THE CITY COUNCILWAS THE
IMPROVEMENT OF CIVIC AMENITIES.
THE COUNCIL CONSIDERED THE SALE AND PURCHASE OF
FALLOW LAND AND HAD A SAY IN THE RURAL AFFAIRS.
THEY SUPERVISED LAW AND ORDER,ECONOMIC AND OTHER
CORPORATIONS,CIVIC LIFE AND CLERICAL BUSINESS.
THEY WERE CONTROLLED BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
THROUGH ITS REPRESENTATIVE PURAPALA UPARIKA.
GUILDS
THE PROMINENT ROLE THAT THE GUILDS OF ARTISENS AND MERCHANTS PLAYED IN
THE URBAN ADMINISTRATIONAND THE OTHER EVIDENCE LIKE THE SEALS AND
INSCRIPTIONS POINT TO THEIR FLOURISHING AGE.
THE TITLES LIKE DASA,DATTA,NANDIN,PALA,SENA,SIMHA AND THE LIKE INDICATE THAT
THE MEMBERS OF THE DIFFERENT CASTES WERE ADMITTED INTO THE GUILD.
THE MERCHANT OR THE CRAFT GUILD HAS THE LEGAL STATUS.
IT COULD POSSESS CORPORATE PROPERTY AND EVEN MAKE ITS OWN RULES AND
REGULATIONS AS FAR AS THEY ARE NOT AGAINST THE LAW OF THE DHARMASHASTRAS
OR THE KING.
THE GUID COULD APPOINT HONEST MEN BY ELECTION AS ITS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS TO
PUNISH TRANSGRESSORS.
THE GENERAL BODY OF THE GUILD COULD ELECT THE PRESIDENT AND THE
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND COULD REMOVE THEM IF THEY FOUND GUILTY IF THE
OFFICER IS TOO STRONG THE GUILD APPEAL TO THE KING WHICH FOLLOWS THE
INTERVENTION BY THE KING.
THE KING COULD ALSO INTERFERE TO PREVENT UNLAWFUL COMBINATIONS ,STRIKES
AND FIGHTING AMONG THEMSELVES OR WHEN THE GUILD UNDERTOOK WORKS
OPPOSSED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC INTEREST.
AS A FULLY ORGANISED BODY IT GAVE BONUSES,LEAVE,PENSIONS,PROVIDENT
FUND,ETC FOR THE WORKERS.
FEUDATORY NATURE
THEY ACCEPTED THE SUZERAINITY OF THE EMPEROR AND
AGREED TO PAY ANNUAL TRIBUTE.THE SUZERAINITY WAS
MORE NOMINAL THAN REAL.
THE VASSALS WERE REQUIRED TO ATTEND IMPERIAL COURT
ONCE A YEAR AND PAY TRIBUTES.
THEY MAITAINED THEIR OWN OFFICER AT THE IMPERIAL
COURT.SOMETIMES THEY GAVE THEIR OWN DAUGHTERS IN
MARRIAGE TO THE IMPERIAL HOUSE.
THE EMPEROR RARELY INTERFERED IN THE INTERNAL
ADMINISTRATION OF THE UNLESS IT IS PREJUDICIAL TO THE
INTERESTS OF THE EMPIRE.
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
THRE WERE GRADATIONS OF THE COURTS,FROM THE CHIEF
COURT TO THE LOCAL COURT.
A CLEAR DEMARCATION WAS MADE BETWEEN THE CIVIL AND
CRIMINAL COURTS.
THE COURT WAS THE SABHA PRESIDED OVER BY THE
PRADVIVAKA(CHIEF JUSTICE).
BELOW THEM WERE WERE THE COURTS OF
AMATYAS,SAINIKA,KULA,SRENI,GANA AND OF MERCHANTS.
LOCAL COURTS DEAL WITH CIVIL CASES.
A FEATURE OF THE JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE WAS
THE PREVELANCE OF ARBITRATION OF JUSTICE.IT
CONFERRED TWO IMPORTANT ADVANTAGES---------1)THE EXPERTS IN LAW EXAMINED THE CASESAND SETTLED
DISPUTES THAT CAME UPBEFORE THE COURTS.
2)IT REDUCED LITIGATION.
CONCLUSION
THE TONE OF THE GUPTA
ADMINISTRATION WAS NOT AS
RIGOROUS AS THAT OF THE
MAURAYAS.THE GUPTAS GAVE UP
THE USE OF ORDEALS.