The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c20.156

c20.156

The Belaturn Inscription of the year 1057 A.D. of the time of Rajendradeva from Mysore vividly pictures the process of elevation in feudal rank. The Chola king presents the chief of Kudiyas, who, by the way was a Sudra, with a pearl umbrella, a conch, cymbals, and a royal elephant. So he was created a Mâṇḍalika.¹ An Inscription of Buddharâja brings into view a line of hereditary Mahâmaṇḍaleśvaras.² In the Saṃgamner Copper Plate Inscription of the Yâdava Bhillama II a Mahâsâmanta who had obtained the five Mahâśabdas is described as the supreme lord of the city of Dvârâvatî. That city was probably his headquarters.³