History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v1.c14.s5.28

v1.c14.s5.28

Thus the Valabhi dynasty lasted from about 509 to 775 A. D. in which year this event is usually placed. For 275 years thus, Northern Gujarat and Eastern Kathiawar were in a prosperous and happy condition. This was due both to the people and the ruling dynasty. The people of Gujarat appear to have been then as now peaceful, industrious and thrifty. The kings appear to have been simple, straightforward and unavaricious. They tried to please the people as a king ought to do (see *rajanad rāja* of Kālidāsa and the grant quoted at the end, of these Valabhi kings.) The administration seems to have been most orderly and systematic. We have already noted the names of officers which appear from the grants of these kings viz. Āyuktaka, Drānghika, (Dranga-town), Mahattara, Chātabhata (Policeman), Dhruva (hereditary accountant of the village, a name still current in Gujarat), Ādhikaraṇika (Judicial officer), Daṇḍapāśika, Chaurodharaṇika, Rājasthānīya, Amātya, Shaulkika (toll officer), Bhogika (revenue collector), Vartmapāla, Pratisāraka, Viṣayapati (Mamlatdar), Rāṣṭrapati and so on. (Bombay Gazetteer Gujarat p. 182). The land was fully cultivated, every field being measured and named. The collection of revenue was in kind and called Bhoga as everywhere else a word still surviving in Gujarat. The kings have signed the grants with their own hand being usually learned men. And the kings do not appear to have been licentious or oppressive as in Kashmir. In fact it may be said that they were not unmindful of their duties as descendants of Rāma, the ideal good king of ancient India.