State and Government in Ancient India c23.s4.25

c23.s4.25

Vishayapatis and Bhogapatis carried on the revenue administration in cooperation with hereditary revenue officers called Nāḍgāvuṇḍas or Deśagrāmakūṭas, who seem to have discharged functions similar to those of the Deshmukhas and Deshpandes under the later Muslim and Marāṭhā administrations. These officers were remunerated by the grant of rent-free lands.¹ It is interesting to add that hereditary revenue officers for districts are so far not known to have figured in any north Indian ancient administration.