Political History of Ancient India, from the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty c21.s1.35

c21.s1.35

The *Deśas* were governed by officers called *Goptṛis*, or Wardens of the Marches, as is suggested by the passage *Sarveshu Deśeshu vidhāya Goptṛin* 'having appointed Goptṛis in all the *Deśas*.' The *Bhuktis* were usually governed by *Uparikas* or *Uparika Mahārājas* who were sometimes apparently princes of the Imperial family, *e.g.*, *Rājaputra-deva-bhaṭṭāraka*, Governor of Puṇḍravardhana *bhukti* mentioned in a Dāmodarpur plate, Govinda Gupta, Governor of Tîrabhukti mentioned in the Basārh seals² and possibly Ghaṭotkacha Gupta of Tumain in Central India. The office of *Vishaya-pati* or District Officer was held by Imperial officials like the *Kumār-āmātyas* and *Āyuktakas*,³ as well as by feudatory *Mahārājas* like Mātṛi-vishṇu of Eraṇ. Some of the *Vishayapatis*, *e.g.*, Śarvanāga of Antarvedī,⁴ were possibly directly under the Emperor, while others, *e.g.*, those of Koṭivarsha, Airikiṇa and Tripurī, were usually under provincial Governors. The Governors and District Officers were no doubt helped by officials and dignitaries like the *Dāṇḍika*, *Chaur-oddharaṇika* and *Daṇḍapāśika*⁵ (apparently judicial and police officials), *Nagara Śreshṭhī* (President or Alderman of a city-guild), *Sārthavāha* (*lit.* caravan-leader or merchant), *Prathama-Kulika* (foreman of artisans) *Prathama-Kāyastha* (the chief scribe), *Pusta-pāla* (record-keeper) and others. Every *Vishaya* consisted of a number of "*grāmas*" or villages which were administered by headmen and other functionaries styled *Grāmikas*, *Mahattaras* and *Bhojakas*.¹