Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c14.s3.96

c14.s3.96

There was a body of *Mahāmātras* in each great city and district of the empire.¹ The inscriptions mention the *Mahāmātras* of Pāṭaliputra, Kauśāmbī, Tosalī, Samāpā, Suvarṇagiri and Isila.² In the Kaliṅga Edicts we have certain *Mahāmātras* distinguished by the terms *Nagalaka* and *Nagala-Viyohālaka*. The *Nagalaka* and *Nagala-Viyohālaka* of the Edicts correspond to the *Nāgaraka* and *Paura-vyāvahārika* of the *Arthaśāstra*³ and no doubt administered justice in cities.⁴ In Pillar Edict I mention is made of the *Aṁta Mahāmātras* or the Wardens of the Marches, who correspond to the *Antapālas* of the *Arthaśāstra*⁵ and the *Goptṛis* of the age of Skanda Gupta. The *Kauṭilīya* tells us that the salary of an *Antapāla* was equal to that of a *Kumāra*, a *Paura-vyāvahārika*, a member of the *Mantriparishad* or a *Rāshtrapāla*.⁶ In Edict XII mention is made of the *Ithījhaka Mahāmātras* who, doubtless, correspond to the *Stry-adhyakshas* (the Guards of the Ladies) of the epics.⁷