History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c62.333.5

v4.c62.333.5

The gopa and sthānika had to keep a register of the *caste*, *gotra*, name and occupation of the men and women in their districts and also of their income and expenditure. Managers of charitable institutions had to send information to them about the heretics and travellers arriving to reside therein. Numerous rules about reporting and punishments for various defaults and wrongs are laid down, which are passed over. Manu VII. 121 and Śānti 87. 10 also provide for the appointment in each city (in the kingdom) of a high officer, who was to superintend all matters affecting the city and who had ample powers of restraint and coercion. Many of the superintendents mentioned by Kauṭilya occur under the same names in the Kāmasūtra e. g. gavādhyakṣa, sūtrādhyakṣa, nāgaraka (explained by the com. as daṇḍapāśika), paṇyādhyakṣa (in V. 5. 7-10). Vide E. I. vol. 15 pp. 127-128 for a statement on the provincial administration under the Guptas.