The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c19.127

c19.127

Bhogika or Bhogapati and Viṣayapati are there, as usual, in charge of provinces and districts. But two other local officers—Nihelapatis and Tarapatis—are peculiar to the mountainous regions. They seem to be in charge of sub-divisions known as Nihelas and Taras, probably sub-divisions of the Viṣaya. Tara appears to be smaller than Nihela. The sub-division, immediately above the village, was supervised by an officer called Cāṭa, a term which bears a different meaning in the plains. Cāṭa is still the designation of the head of a paraganā in Chambā. In the earlier inscriptions the Cāṭa, *inter alia*, collects road-carriers and supplies for the king, his relations or officers when on tour. Here Bhaṭas seem to be subordinate to Cāṭas. As in the plains, Viniyuktakas seem to be the assistants, something like secretaries, of divisional officers, Bhogikas and Viṣayapatis. Here, as elsewhere, are a large number of messengers, classified into Dūtas, Gaṇāgamikas and Abhitvaramāṇas.¹