Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c43.124

c43.124

Tīrthas are defined in a quotation given by Somadeva Sūri¹ as bodies of legal officers and officers in charge of executive works. It seems certain that Tīrtha meant the holder of a department, as all the Tīrthas mentioned in the Artha-Śāstra are in charge of departments. *Tīrtha* literally means 'a ford to pass through' *i.e.* a passage. Ministers and heads of departments acquired this name probaly because orders passed through them to their respective departments. The Tīrtha classification throws light on the significance of the technical officers. They were:—²