Indian Epigraphy c16.s3.101

c16.s3.101

The list has some new items not found in the Pāla grants discussed above. Rājan and Rājanaka have been distinguished from Sāmanta and Mahāsāmanta probably belonging to slightly lower grades of feudatories. Among the new entries, Ṭhakkura and Mahāmanuṣya are difficult to explain, but may mean noblemen and the chief attendant. Mahārājapramātāra is the same as Pramātṛ or Pramātāra of some records,² and may have been the king’s counsellor on judicial matters. The function of the Śarabhaṅga cannot be determined; but the designation seems to be derived from Persian Sarhang, ‘a commander’, later modified in India to Sāreṅg.³ Duḥsādhyasādhanika is the same as Dauḥsādhasādhanika of the Pāla charters. The Dāśāparādhika was probably the judge dealing with the ten offences including theft, murder, adultery, use of abusive language to others, desire to do wrong, tenacity for doing wrong, etc. The Paṭṭakāpacārika was the officer investigating offences against the royal edicts and charters, while the Āsedhabhaṅgādhikṛta was the officer in charge of the prevention of flight from prison or legal restraint. The *Khādgika*, literally ‘swordsman’, was probably the palace guard. *Tarapati* (superintendent of a ferry or the ferries) was the same as *Tarika* or *Tairthika* of other inscriptions. In *Khaṇḍarakṣa*, sometimes found as *Khaḍgarakṣa*, the word *khaṇḍa* is the same as Bengali *khaṇḍa* and Oriya *khaṇḍa*, ‘a heavy sword’, and the expression means ‘the king’s sword-bearer’, or a body-guard of the king,¹ since *Khādgika*, possibly meaning ‘a palace guard’, is mentioned separately. *Pratīsūrika* is difficult to interpret, but may have been the superintendent of gladitorial combats. The *Sthānādhikṛta* (modern *Thānādār*)² was the officer in charge of a police or military outpost similar to the *Gaulmika*. The *Vartmapāla* was the superintendent of roads and the *Ghaṭṭapāla* the superintendent of landing places on the river banks or of passes. Both these may have been customs officers. The *Kṣetrapāla* is the same as the *Kṣetrapa* of other epigraphs. In *Kiśoravaḍavāgomahiṣyadhikṛta*, *mahiṣī* in the feminine has been used instead of *mahiṣa* in the masculine. The *Mahattama* is apparently the same as the *Mahattara* of other epigraphs. The list includes the *Abhīras* (cowherds), *Vaṇiks* (merchants) and *Śreṣṭhins* (bankers or foremen of guilds).