History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v1.c14.s2.4

v1.c14.s2.4

Very great opprobrium attached to the name of the Kāyasthas. It is not quite clear if this was a separate caste in Kashmir. The greater ministers were usually Brahmins or Kshatriyas or of families belonging to the royal caste or clan. But the Kāyasthas in Kashmir appear to include all revenue collection officers. Probably they formed a class among themselves. They were always the most willing instruments in the hands of oppressive kings on whom, however, the blame for oppression must really rest. These officers and and officers of armies and the soldiers called Tantris were also very corrupt and Utkocha or bribe is a word that coustantly occurs in the Rājatarangiṇī.