Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c11.s34.9

c11.s34.9

Other officers mentioned in the edicts are—*Vachabhūmikas*, controllers of cow-pens, whose duties must have been similar to those of the *go-adhyaksha* of the *Arthaśāstra*, and other groups (*nikāya*) of officials whose names and duties are not specified¹. The Seventh Pillar-Edict also mentions many chief officials, or departments according to Thomas, occupied with the delivery of gifts made by the king, his queen, his children, and the sons of other royal princesses (*devikumāras*) both in the capital city and in the provinces². Obviously there are many gaps in our knowledge of the details, and the inscriptions are by no means a complete manual of administration.