The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c19.70

c19.70

The context of the Râjatarangiṇî indicates that it was the titles of these five offices which were denoted by the term Pañcamahâśabda. In the inscriptions of the plains of India, however, the expression will not bear that meaning. There it seems in practically every case to refer to feudatories who had the privilege of using certain fine musical instruments, or beating some instruments five times a day. The most likely solution of the difficulty which has exercised several scholars, seems to be that the term had different significations in different localities.⁴ In Kashmîr ministers were called Râjânakas.¹ Above the rest was a chief minister called Sarvâdhikâra.² Two or even more of the higher offices were sometimes combined in the hands of a single person (IV, 140). Sometimes princes of the blood were appointed to the highest posts.³ Other relatives of the king also sometimes occupied high offices and exercised influence. Sometimes they made merry if a king died heirless.⁴ The actual power and prestige of a minister would depend on the personal equation but the general importance of their position is clear from a few well-attested incidents. On the death of Avantivarman in 883 A.D., a number of members of the royal family aspired to the throne and quarrelled among themselves. The Chamberlain placed Śaṅkaravarman, a son of the late king, on the throne. Another minister installed a different member of the royal family as Yuvarâja. A civil war was the result.⁵ Ministers could sometimes conspire and imperil the safety of the king.⁶ The commanders of the standing army or bodyguard of infantry were particularly dangerous.⁷ One of the most important military commands seems to have been that of the Dvârapati or warden of the marches.