The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c15.19.1

c15.19.1

carried with it the right to retain or develop different systems of organisation. Thus, the Mâla vas, Ârjunâyanas, Yaudheyas,¹ Mâdrakas, Âbhîras, Prârjunas, Sanakânikas, Kâkas, Kharaparikas and others mentioned in the inscription are clearly tribal oligarchies. The Prahalâdpur Stone Pillar Inscription² shows the suzerain appointing a chief as the leader of a tribe. The appointment may be only the recognition of a *de facto* ruler. In any case, the tribal oligarchies retain their individuality and internal self-government. Like other states, they issue coins. Indeed, the large number of punch-marked coins issued from various mints testifies to the large number of autonomous or semi-autonomous regions and groups.³ There is a notable passage in the Visuddhimagga of Buddhaghoṣa, who flourished about this time, to the effect that a money-changer could recognise from which village, town or capital and from what mint a particular coin was issued. Coinage was thus feudal and local and varied from place to place. So great was this variety that a regular science of coinage grew up as Buddhaghoṣa testifies.⁴ There are numerous coins issued by Nigamas or cities and Janapadas or districts, which testify to the existence of very small, partially autonomous areas. The coins, again, prove that some foreign dynasties were allowed to linger. These, however, were being rapidly assimilated to the Hindu tradition.