Political History of Northern India

SR No.: 001744
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Gulabchandra Chaudhary
Publisher: Sohanlal Jain Dharm Pracharak Samiti Amrutsar
Publication Year: 1954
Total Pages: 482
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, History, & Culture
File Size: 10 MB

Page 387

STATE AND ADMINISTRATION
357 states. During the Gupta period, the provinces of U.P. and Bengal were styled as bhukti, but in the later period we rarely come across the term bhukti, in that sense. The term mazdala in the sense of province was used in the kingdoms of the Caulukyas, Paramāras and Cāhamānas. Thus, we know from the Jain sources that Saurāştra, Lāțā, Avanti or Mälava, Astadaśasati (Āsosittana)1 were the mandalas. The terms ekadeśa or prānta was also used for a province in the Jain literature.2
The governors of provinces were usually called mahāmandalesvara or mandaleswara. The appointment of the governors was entirely in the hands of the king. Qualified persons with administrative capacity were appointed to the post. Thus, we learn from the Jain colophons that Sobhanadeva was governor of Khețaka mandala during Jayasimha's time, while Vosari was the governor of Lātadeśa during Kumārapāla's reign.3 Sometimes, princes or near kinsmen were appointed to this high post. Thus Prthvīrāja III appointed his so-called brother Yasoraja in Kumārabhukti at Asinagara. To rule over the newly conquered territories, generals were usually appointed. Thus Vimala dandanayaka was the governor of Arbuda during the reign of Caulukya Bhīma 1,5 while Saurāştra, during the reign of Jayasimha and Kumārapāla, was ruled by its governor Sajjana and Nadol, during Kumarapāla's time, by its Governor Vaijaladeva?
The provincial governors exercised wide powers. They maintained regular armies at provincial headquarters and were responsible for the maintenance of internal peace and the protection of their territories from external invasion. Thus, Vastupāla as a governor of Cambay averted the invasion made by Sankha with the timely help of the army.8 The Tilakaman jari states that the governors of provinces were satisfied by ministers in their administration. This shows that they had a sort of cabinet to consult now and then. VII. Feudatories or Sämantas :
Like these provinces there was a number of feudal states during our period, which owed allegiance to the permanent power. The chief of the
1 SJGM., XVIII, p. 107; SJGM., I, p. 16; Arbud Jain Lekha-sandoh, II, p. 8. ? PC., p. 12. 3 SJGM., pp. 103, 107. 4 SJGM. II, p. 86. • Arbud Lekha-sandoh, II, p. 3. & See supra, p. 278. 7 See supra, p. 278. & See supra, p. 305.
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