India as Known to Panini: A Study of the Cultural Material in the Ashtadhyayi c12.s1.35

c12.s1.35

The most important officers constituting the steel-frame of administration were the *Adhyakshas* mentioned in *sūtra* VI.2.67 (*Vibhāshādhyakshe*). They were Heads of Government Departments. In Kauṭilya's administrative system, the *Adhyakshas* play an important part as presiding over the different departments of administration. The *Arthaśāstra* enumerates about twenty-five *Adhyakshas*. As examples of *Adhyakshas*, the *Kaśikā* cites *Aśvādhyaksha* and *Gavādhyaksha* (IV.4.69), mentioned also by Kauṭilya. The *Kāśikā* refers to other *niyukta* officers, such as *Ākarika*, those for mines; *Śaulkaśālikā* for customs, *Āpaṇika* for market-places, *Gaulmika* for forests, who were of the *Adhyaksha* cadre according to Kauṭilya.