Hindu Administrative Institutions c8.s1.50

c8.s1.50

In the empire of Aśoka again the princes of the blood royal commonly designated Kumāras were appointed provincial Governors. Four such Kumāra viceroyalties are mentioned in the edicts of Aśoka, one in Takṣaśīla in the frontier province of Gandhāra, a second at Svarṇagiri (*Kanakagiri*?), third at Tosali (*Dhauli*) in Kalinga, and the fourth at Ujjain.³ These princes were entrusted with the right of appointing their own district officials ‘as no doubt was the practice during the Gupta rule’. Though these princes enjoyed certain privileges still their power did not go unchecked by higher authorities. The mention of the term Mahāmātras in the edicts shows that the Kumāra did not act by himself but always took counsel of the Mahāmātras⁴ or the council attached to these princes.