The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c9.s3.t2.8

v1.c9.s3.t2.8

The Lakshmeśvar inscription of Yuvarāja Vikramāditya⁵ is valuable evidence regarding the relations between the king's government and rural institutions. By recording an *āchāra-vyavasthe* (charter of rights and duties) given by the Yuvarāja to the *mahājanas*, *nagara*, and the eighteen *prakṛitis* (classes?) of Porigere (the ancient name of Lakshmeśvara), this record shows that in the last resort local affairs were in fact susceptible to royal regulation. It mentions *rājapurushar* (royal officials) and lays on them the definite duty of protecting certain established rights. Besides the *mahājanas* it mentions the *nagara*, the industrial and commercial interests, and ‘the eighteen *prakṛitis*’ the nature of which is not clear. The body of the inscription prescribes rates of taxes (*tere*) to be given to the *deśādhipatis* every year in the month of Vaiśākha, and to the *Sēṇi* (guild) in the month of Kārttika. It also mentions the specialized guilds of braziers (*kañchagāra sēṇi*) and of oilmongers (*telliga-sēṇi*) and the payments of dues to them. We thus get a glimpse into the complex economic and political organization of life in a fair-sized city.