The Rashtrakutas and their Times c24.12

c24.12

The Rāṣṭrakūṭa administration was certainly efficient. The 20th century would naturally disapprove of a system of administration under which a large number of civil officers were recruited from the army. But it may be pointed out that the bifurcation between the civil and military, and executive and judicial functions is more recent than our period, and the recent history of Italy, Poland, Spain, Portugal and Germany shows that it is by no means certain that some states in future may not revert back to the old system where the military commanders, being persons of proved vigour and efficiency were entrusted with important administrative posts. Probably the exigencies of a forward policy were responsible for the appointment of so many military commanders to civil posts. The evils of the system were probably to a great extent mitigated by the fact that the military officers were after all sons of the soil and were assisted by hereditary district, Taluka, and village officers. Democratic institutions like elected parliaments, responsible cabinets etc., were absent, but it may be pointed out that they existed nowhere else in contemporary times. The Rāṣṭrakūṭa subjects, however, enjoyed a substantial amount of self-government by the circumstance that large powers were delegated to local bodies where they had an effective voice. How far the administration secured the material, moral and cultural progress of the people is the next question to be considered. Sufficient evidence has been adduced in chapter XV to show that the Deccan was economically strong and prosperous under the Rāṣṭrakūṭas. Otherwise their aggressive wars would have been impossible. Commerce was brisk, and several industries flourished. The mines were also yielding rich income. The high compliments paid to the Deccanese character by the Chinese and the Muslims would show that the moral welfare was also looked after. It is, however, difficult to determine how much of the credit in this respect has to be given to the state and how much to religion. In religious matters the state maintained a catholic and tolerant attitude. Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism lived side by side in peace and harmony. It may be pointed out that during our period, there was no such harmony in Tamil country, where the Jains were ruthlessly persecuted by the Śaivaits.