State and Government in Ancient India c16.36

c16.36

The decisions of the central government were communicated to the local authorities by the secretariat through its special messengers. The work being responsible, was usually entrusted to high officers. They are described in the Deccan Vākāṭaka records as *kulaputras* (youths of noble birth), who carry the commands of the Central Government.² The Pallava records of south India call them premier's messengers.³ An Assam officer of this service proudly describes himself as one who had conveyed hundreds of royal commands.⁴