[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924) › c44.83 # Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c44.83 Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c44.83 - **Language:** English ### [c44.83](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.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). - [Previous: c44.82](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c44.82) - [Next: c44.84](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c44.84) - [Up: c44](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c44) ## Linked texts (2) - [Mānava Dharmaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.manu.11.100) — Manu & Bhṛgu, Sanskrit - [Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.epigraphy.corpora.cii) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c44.83](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.jayaswal-1924.c44.83) · Pramāṇa