The Mauryan Polity c10.s3.t9: The gopa

The Mauryan Polity c10.s3.t9

Language: English

The gopa

c10.s3.t9.1

The *gopa* was the official next in rank to the *sthānika*. He maintained registers showing the names of persons in his territorial jurisdiction together with the amount of property possessed by each. A *gopa* was expected to maintain the accounts relating from ten to forty households. It was also his duty to maintain a statistical record of the inmates of the households with their respective castes, *gotra* names, profession, income and expenditure. He was a small census officer. It is reasonable to assume that a number of *gopas* were under a *sthānīka*, for each *gopa* was entrusted with about forty households. The Managers of religious houses and charitable institutions sent reports to the *gopa* or the *sthānīka* as regards the movement of heretics (*pāṣaṇḍa*) and strangers. They further entertained ascetics and *śrotriyas* of pure character. Artisans, merchants, and other *gṛhasthas* were to report to them as to their movements, as well as those of their friends, who were strangers to the city. The sentinels and watchmen were also held responsible to some extent. They also sent their reports to the *gopa* or through him to the *sthānīka* who ultimately reported to the *nāgaraka*.¹

c10.s3.t9.2

¹ Bk. II, ch. 36.

Linked texts (1)

Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit