Indian Epigraphy c16.s3.43

c16.s3.43

The *Ārakṣādhikṛta* was either a magistrate looking after the watch over villages or towns, or an officer responsible for the protection of the king's person. The *Gaulmika* was in charge of a *gulma* or out-post,¹ and the *Tairthika* the officer in charge of a ferry or the ferries.² The designation *Naiyogika*, derived from *niyoga*, ‘an appointment’, may indicate officers in charge of small administrative units or offices. The *Sañcaratka* was a spy while the *Bhaṭamanuṣya* was apparently a constable, called *Pāik* (from Sanskrit *Padātika*, ‘foot-soldier’) or *Piāda* in many parts of North India.³ At the end of the Hirahadagalli plates, it is stated that the writer of the document was *Bhartṛśarman* who was the *Rahasyādhikṛta* (private secretary) and the *Bhojaka* (Jāgīrdār) of Kolivāla. The official designation *Rahasyādhikṛta* is noticed in several other records sometimes as *Rahasya*, *Rāhasika*, *Rahasiniyukta*, etc.¹ He seems to be the same as *Vaiśvāsika*, *Paramaviśvāsin* or *Mahāparamaviśvāsin* of other records.⁴