The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c14.148

c14.148

Besides these regular administrative functionaries there were a number of Court and household officers. The High Priest, the sacrificial priest and the royal teacher seem to have ranked among the highest personages of the realm. The Dauvārika or door-keeper and the Antarvāsika or superintendent of the harem come in the second grade. The foreteller, the astrologer, the reader of omens, the reader of Purāṇas, the sacrificial priests, the retinue of the priest, the story-teller, and the bard occupied the same position as the Superintendents of Departments. The sorcerer and, most curious of all, the honourable playmate of the king, came a little lower. The bodyguards and attendants stood much lower. Every Hindu Court patronised poets and scholars whose emoluments in Kauṭalya range from five hundred to a thousand paṇas a year. Many musicians receive two hundred and fifty paṇas a year.¹ In Kauṭalya the salaries and allowances are tremendous in amount.