Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c44.83

c44.83

§ 322. The designations of the ministers in Gupta times changed. We have already seen the *Sāndhivigrahika* superseding the old term *Dūta*. This was evidently necessary to avoid confusion and distinguish the *Minister of Diplomacy* from the *Ambassador*. We do not find *Mantrin* used in the inscriptions of the period. Here again a desire to use an unambiguous expression seems to have operated. For, the minister *Daṇḍanāyaka* or rather *Mahā-Daṇḍanāyaka* appears to have taken its place. In Manu (XI. 100), *Daṇḍanētṛitva* is distinguished from *Senāpatya* and means the leadership of the administration, which in view of Manu's definition of *Amātya*'s jurisdiction (*amātye daṇḍa āyattaḥ*-Manu, VII. 56) means the authority of the Prime-Minister. *Mahā-Daṇḍanāyaka*, therefore, 'vested *with the leadership of daṇḍa* (or administration)', would signify the minister in charge of administration or the Prime-Minister. This appears to be the more natural interpretation as against the one given by Fleet *i.e.*, 'the leader of the forces' (*C.I.I.*, III. p. 16. *n.*), for the ministers who bear that title in the inscriptions were civilian officers as proved by their other titles. Further, in that period the military minister seems to be designated *Balādhikṛit* (*Ibid.*, p. 210) and *Mahā-Balādhikṛit* (p. 109).