Early History of Orissa

SR No.: 006922
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Amarchand Mittal
Publisher: Jain Cultural Research Society
Publication Year: 1957
Total Pages: 506
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 195

170 AN EARLY HISTORY OF ORISSA. provinces of lesser importance, which were governed not by persons related to the royal family of Magadha, but by local chiefs called the Rāshțrīyas. To quote such an instance, the Junagarh Inscription of Rudradāmana I states that the western Province of Saurashtra or Kathiawar, with headquarters at Girnar, was governed by Vaisya Pushyagupta in the reign of Chandragupta Maurya, while under Asoka, it was under Governor, Rājā Tushāspha, the Persian.
DR. Bhandarkar has, further, classified the Viceroys of Asoka into two more categories. Firstly, those who wielded practically independent authority, and secondly, those who wielded joint and limited authority subject to the control of the Emperor himself. He argues :- "From the Separate Kalinga Edicts it appears that although the Kumāras of Ujjayini and Takshasilā were to send on tour a Mahāmātra of their own, every three years, to make sure that there was no mal-administration of justice, yet, in the case of Tosali, this Mahāmātra was to be deputed not by the Tosali-Kumāra but by Aśoka himself. Secondly, in connection with the despatch of such an officer, the Kumāras of Ujjayini and Takshasilā are mentioned by themselves and not associated with any State dignitaries, whereas in SKE II (Dhauli version), where the Kumāra of Tosali is referred to, he is mentioned not by himself but associated with the Mahāinātras. Again, in regard to the latter (Kalinga) Province, we find that Asoka issues admonitions or instructions to the Nagaril-Vyilvalvärikas
1. The second categery of provinces might have been like bigger districts, because their in-charge has been designated as "Rashtrīya' which goes to suggest him as an in-charge of a district, much smaller than a province.
2. E.I., VIII, pp. 46-47. However, Barua does not accept the above, (AHI, 1, p. 191).