The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c18.140

c18.140

Except in the sphere of village administration, the governmental system of the north resembles that of the regions towards the south in all essentials though there are some differences of details. A few points of comparison and contrast may be noticed. The eighth century plates of Dantivarman of Gujarât show the feudatory Mahâsâmanta as possessed of the five Mahâśabdas and as ‘lord of great feudal chiefs.’ It appears that sometimes in the North and more often elsewhere in ancient India, suzerains granted lofty titles to their principal feudatories. The administrative system which obtained in the territories of this feudatory followed the usual type. Râṣṭrapati, however, is substituted for Bhogika as the title of the provincial governor. Both the designations have a fiscal significance. It is interesting to note that the grant is made to an academic institution and is to be enjoyed by successive generations of pupils.² The ninth century inscriptions from Kâvî near the gulf of Cambay only mention the usual officers.³