History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v1.c12.12

v1.c12.12

The villages were usually prosperous in spite of these occasional troubles; and they were expected to perform certain charitable duties. The prosperous village was expected to keep a Sadāvarta or alms’ house where grain was given to every needy person every day. It was also expected to keep open a *prapā* or water-house, where water was served to every thirsty person throughout the day. It was also expected to open a rest house or *Sabhā* and a *prāgvaṃśa* or sacrificial room. Bāṇa in describing the prosperous condition of the Śrīkantha or Thanesar kingdom under Prabhākara Vardhana refers to this duty in the expression बहिरुपचितविकटसभसत्रप्राग्वंशमण्डपैः प्रसूतार्माव ग्रामैः (H.C. p. 176) which means that outside every village were erected spacious mandaps for *sabha*, *satra*, *prapā* and *prāgvaṃśa*. These mandaps were of course temporary sheds erected for temporary purposes, that is, to be kept open during the summer and winter seasons and not during the rainy season and autumn, when travellers were not expected to move or be in need.