Hindu Administrative Institutions c12.s1.31

c12.s1.31

The next important officials in the rural areas were those in charge of *sangrahaṇas*, *kharvāṭikas*, *droṇamukhas* and *sthānikas*.² Each of these was responsible for that portion of the country entrusted to him. The functions and rights of these officials excepting that of *sthānīya* have not been given, and it is reasonable to suppose that they had supervising control on officers lower in rank to them. Apparently the *sangrahaṇa*-officer was to keep the *gopa* in discipline, and look after villages which were under his control. The *sthānīya* was the officer in charge of the *sthānika* or a group of eight hundred villages. He was answerable to the finance minister or the *samāharta*. He figures as the greatest official of the rural administration. He exercised his sway over the whole range of the rural area. Besides directly dealing with his subordinates he sent out special Intelligence officers who were to go on circuit round the country in disguise especially those of householders,—so that no one could easily identify them,—and thus secretly learn the causes of emigration from and immigration into the several villages, the names of various undesirables and the ill-reputed, and the conduct of the minor government officials established in villages. In the guise of merchants again these commissioners could make themselves acquainted with the output of minerals, produce from forests and gardens, the amount of dues collected at the toll-gate, roads, ferry-places, stores, and warehouses. Further commissioners in the guise of thieves were let loose to hunt after the band of robbers and marauders in ruined and desolate places as well as in thickly crowded ones. It was further their duty to detect theft and take the culprit before the proper authorities for the award of punishment.¹