Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s7.t6: 4.6.6 Superintendent, chief
Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c23.s7.t6
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4.6.6 Superintendent, chief
c23.s7.t6.1
The expression *-(a)tikaṉ* (< Pkt. *adhika*) occurs twice in these inscriptions, once at Mangulam (**No. *3*, ca. 2nd century B.C.**) in *kāḷitika-* (read *kāḷ-atika-*) 'superintendent of pearls' and again at Alagarmalai (**No. *40*, ca. 1st century B.C.**) in *kaṇatikaṉ* (*kaṇa-atikaṉ*) 'chief of scribes'. Before looking into the specific duties of these officials, the expression *atikaṉ* may be considered.
c23.s7.t6.2
In the Sinhala-Brāhmī inscriptions, a number of officials are mentioned with the designation *adika* who were placed in charge of various departments of the state.¹ The Pallava kingdom in the Tamil country had also officials known as *adhika* in charge of different departments of the state or of the provinces.² The Pallava administration has been compared in this respect with the Mauryan, "rather than (that) prevalent in the Tamil country".³ It now appears that the Pāṇṭiya kingdom also possessed an administrative organisation resembling at least in some respects those of the Mauryan in the north and Sri Lanka in the south during this period.
c23.s7.t6.3
¹ The term *adika* (< Skt. *adhyaksha*) occurs also as *adaka* or *adeka*. Cf. *ati-adika* 'superintendent of elephants', *paṇ-adaka* 'superintendent of trade', etc. S. Paranavitana 1970: p. xciv.
c23.s7.t6.4
² Cf. Pallava *Inscrs.* No. 3: *arakhādhika* 'superintendent of guards', *dēsādhika* 'prefect of a county' (4th century A.D.).
c23.s7.t6.5
³ C. Minakshi 1977 (revised edn.): p. 140.