[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928) › c19.83 # The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c19.83 The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c19.83 - **Language:** English ### [c19.83](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19.83) Among the minor functionaries of state may be mentioned Adhikaraṇalekhakas or official recorders. Their duties were important enough to tempt others to offer bribes to them.⁵ There was a large secretariat of which the members called Diviras discharged specified functions in separate departments. The number of Diviras was increased or decreased by individual kings.⁶ Below the Diviras seem to have stood the Lekhakas, or clerks. The minor functionaries of state, as a whole, were called Kâyasthas.⁷ They do not yet form a caste; they are only a class by themselves. But later the class developed into a series of sub-castes which filled the minor ranks of government service under the Muslim rulers of medieval India. - [Previous: c19.82](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19.82) - [Next: c19.84](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19.84) - [Up: c19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19.83](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19.83) · Pramāṇa