The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c14.146

c14.146

The local officials mentioned by Kauṭalya are interesting. He divides a kingdom into four provinces, each governed by a Viceroy. Antapâlas seem to be officers in charge of frontiers, wardens of the marches. The Âṭavikas took charge of wild tracts. The Durga-pâlas managed the fortifications. There are the same administrative divisions of eight hundred, four hundred and two hundred villages. The Pradeṣṭṛis were in charge of districts, while at the bottom the Gopa was the village-accountant. Kauṭalya nowhere mentions any self-governing institutions in the village. The Nâgaraka is the superintendent of a city. Mention is made of Daṇḍapâlas and Praśâstris, magistrates or judicial officers.²