State and Government in Ancient India c17.s2.2

c17.s2.2

Aśoka had followed a policy of decentralisation and granted large powers to the *rajjukas*. Subject to the general imperial policy, they had full administrative powers in civil, revenue and criminal affairs. They could confer favours or impose punishments as demanded by the situation.¹ Under the Rāshṭrakūṭas, on the other hand, their powers appear to have been restricted; even Baṅkeya, the favourite Banavāsi viceroy of Amoghavarsha, had to take the imperial sanction for alienating a village in favour of a Jain temple.² Hardly any data are available to determine the powers of the officers over *bhuktis* under the Pratīhāras.