Administration and Social Life under Vijayanagar c10.s2.78

c10.s2.78

The constitutional position of the *nāyaka* appears to have been different from that of a governor of a province, though both of them had a few similar obligations to be fulfilled. (1) While the governor was the king’s representative in a province and ruled it on behalf of the king, the *nāyaka* was only a military vassal. It was more to enable him to meet his financial and military obligations that he was assigned a district. (2) The *nāyaka* enjoyed a comparatively greater freedom in his territory. The internal administration of his district does not appear to have been interfered with by the king. It seems that the *nāyaka* was not subject to transfer from one district to another. It was not unusual, however, for a *nāyaka* to be removed from a particular district assigned to him. But in such cases the reason for his removal was evidently his failure to fulfil his obligations or the desire of the king to provide for another of his favourites. But the transfer or removal of a governor appears to have been due to administrative necessities. (3) The *nāyaka* had onerous responsibilities. The responsible work of the clearance of forests, introduction of agriculture, and the spread of civilization were a few of the more important works entrusted to and done by the *nāyakas*. (4) The governors were generally called Daṇḍanāyakas and were invariably Brahmans. (5) The *nāyakaship* which was in the initial stages personal became hereditary in course of time when the kings at the centre became weak and effeminate.