The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c15.98

c15.98

The inscriptions yield some details about the fiscal administration. The land seems to have been surveyed and measured and the holdings, their boundaries and occupants recorded. The surveyors and measurers were called Pramātṛ, and those who fixed boundaries were designated Sīmāpradātṛ. The cases arising from these processes seem to come before officers called Nyāyakaraṇikas.⁴ The Uparika mentioned in the Bihār Stone Pillar Inscription of Skandagupta⁵ seems to be another revenue officer concerned probably with the tax called Uparikara.⁶ The Dhruvādhikaraṇa seems to be a revenue superintendent.⁷ The Utkhetayitā is a similar dignitary.⁸ The exigencies of land-revenue seem to be chiefly responsible for the growth of an elaborate record department. The Pustapâla who is mentioned in the Dâmodarpur Plates is the protector, that is, the keeper of books. Akṣapaṭalika or keeper of records and Mahâkṣapaṭalika or great keeper of records seem to be higher officers in the same class.¹ Karaṇika who has charge of Karaṇas or documents seems to be a registrar.² The draftsmen are called Kartṛi or Śâsayitṛi.³ In the Dâmodarpur Copper Plates I—III, they are expected to be familiar with holdings and boundaries and ever ready to report to the government.