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History of Kanauj to the Moslem Conquest c12.s4.t1: Territorial divisions

History of Kanauj to the Moslem Conquest c12.s4.t1

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Territorial divisions

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According to the inscriptions of Harṣa the country was divided for administrative purposes into the following divisions :—

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(a) *Bhukti*, i.e., province or division, as for instance the Śrāvasti *Bhukti*, or the Ahicchatra *Bhukti* mentioned in the Madhuban and Banskhera grants respectively.

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(b) The *Bhukti* was further subdivided into *Viṣayas* corresponding to modern districts. The Madhuban record gives us the name of Kuṇḍadhāni *Viṣaya*, whereas the Banskhera copper plate mentions the Angadīya *Viṣaya*

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(c) *Pathaka*.² This was a still smaller territorial term perhaps of the size of the present day Tahsil or Talukā.

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² See the Banskhera inscription.

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(d) *Grāma* or village. This was the lowest unit of administration in ancient times, as it is even now. We have for example the Soma-Kuṇḍa-kā-grāma in the Madhuban charter.

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Regarding the general features of the government, it appears that it was founded on benign principles. Yuan Chwang was impressed favourably, and he observes: “As the Government is generous official requirements are few. Families are not registered, and individuals are not subject to forced labour contributions . . . . . Taxation being light, and forced service being sparingly used, every one keeps to his hereditary occupation and attends to his patrimony”¹ The people were thus left to grow in their own surroundings free and unfettered by the shackles of over-government. Harṣa being “just in his administration, and punctilious in the discharge of his duties,”² society was not choked by a grinding bureaucracy, or overburdened by a heavy system of taxation. The main source of revenue was the traditional one-sixth of the produce,³ and “light duties at ferries and barrier stations,”⁴ paid by tradesmen, who went to and fro bartering their merchandise. The Madhuban and Banskhera grants tell us of other dues, viz., the *Tulya-meya* (taxes depending on the weight and measure of the commodities); *Bhāgabhogakarahiraṇyādi* (share of the enjoyment or produce, payments in cash, and other kinds of income.⁵

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¹ Watters, I, p. 176. Yuan Chwang does not mention these conditions in relation to any particular kingdom, but probably he had Kanauj—the leading state of that time—in view.

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² *Ibid.*, p. 343.

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³ *Ibid.*, p. 176; cf. *Manusmriti*, VII, 130-31; VIII, 308.

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⁴ Watters, I, p. 176.

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⁵ *Ep. Ind.*, I, pp. 73, 75; *Ibid.*, IV, p. 211. See also *Infra*.

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The enlightened nature of Harṣa’s government may further be judged by its expenditure. It is indeed remarkable that besides other items, liberal provision was made for charity to various religious communities. “Of the royal land,” says Yuan Chwang, “there is a four-fold division. One part is for the expenses of government and state-worship, one for endowment of great public servants, one to reward high intellectual eminence, and one for acquiring religious merit by gifts to various sects”¹ With regard to payment of officials we are told that “ministers of state and common officials all have their portion of land, and are maintained by the cities assigned to them,” but “those who are employed in the government service are paid according to their work.”²

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¹ Watters, I, p. 176.

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² Ibid., pp. 176-77.

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