Lord Mahavira and His Times

SR No.: 011080
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Kailashchandra Jain
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1974
Total Pages: 427
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

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Lord Mahāvīra and His Times OFFICERS OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
The Secretariat might have gradually evolved in the post-Vedic period. The art of writing was.coming into more extensive use; kingdoms were developing into empires, and functions of government were becoming more numerous. It may safely be presumed that some kind of Central Secretariat must have existed in the courts of historical emperors like Bimbisāra and Ajātaśatru.
The important officials at headquarters were called Mahāmātras and were divided into three classes, viz., (1) the Executive (Sabbätthaka), administering all affairs and interests ; (2) the Judicial (Vohārika); and (3) the Military (Senänāyaka). In addition to these, there were other officers too as is evident from the Jätakas.
Purohita : The family priest of the king, the Purohila, occupied an extremely peculiar position in the court. For the performance of sacrifices and magical chantings, the king nccded a Purohita. The sacrifice was meant to protect the king from imminent misfortune and to help him in acquiring a city which was difficult to conquer. He not only guarded the king's trcasures--this was part of his duties but also acted as a judi. cial officer.
There were officers who increased the wealth of the king. Rajjugahaka? was the officer of survey. Donamāpaka” was one who mcasured with a dry measure. Balipaliggāhakas, Niggūlakas, and Balisādhakas were the tax-collectors who sometimes plundered and oppressed the pcople by lcvying heavy taxes.3 Rājabhoggas: werc Royal officers appointed and paid by the king whosc orders thcy had all to obey.
Sürathis was the king's charioteer. The Keeper of the king's purse was known as Heraññika and thc superintendent
1. Ja. IV, 179. 2. Ibid. II, 378. 3. FSOXB, p. 120. f. Räjcbhogza is explained in the Sultacibhanga, Nissaggisa 102.1 (l'inaja
Pijata ed. Oldenberg, Vol. 3, p. 222.) 3. ju, 11. 377. 6. Ibid., III. 193.