The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c18.90

c18.90

The administration of the rest of the northern plains has to be gathered from inscriptions. In the eighth and later centuries the centripetal forces are even weaker than in the former interregnums. Feudalism was now more rampant than ever. The title Rāja could be assumed by, or could be bestowed upon, men whose rule was confined to a single village. In the disintegration of the times we can watch the rise of such small feudatories step by step. Udayamāna’s lengthy rock inscription at Dudhpani in Magadha, of the eighth century A.D., records that three brothers, Udayamāna, Śridhautamāna and Ajitamāna, merchants by profession, on their way back from Tāmalipti in Bengal to Ayodhyā, after a gloriously successful mercantile adventure, happened to tarry at Bhramaraśālmali in Magadha. The ruler Ādisimha chanced to appear in the forest near by on a hunting trip and demanded an avaloga or avalogan—some sort of supplies or presents—from the villagers. The latter betook themselves to Udayamāna and entreated him to do the king’s behest on their behalf. Udayamāna, overflowing with riches, readily complied and found himself a favourite with the king and a recipient of a Śripaṭṭa or diadem from royal hands. At his request the ruler sent an assurance to the villagers of Bhramaraśālmali of his good will towards them. On his return to the village, the benevolent merchant received an affectionate welcome. The grateful people requested him to be their Rāja. The ruler approved of the proposal. And so Udayamāna began his rule over the village. He managed to have his brothers Śridhautamāna and Ajitamāna appointed Rājas of the neighbouring villages, Nabhūtiṣaṇḍaka and Chiṅgatā.¹