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36
A CULTURAL STUDY OF THE NISITHA CURNI
with the duty of protecting the people of the town.' He is said to have been the head (mahattara) of the eighteen professional castes or guilds and was invested with a golden patta by the king which was inscribed with the image of the goddess Śr1.8 Satthavaha was the chief caravan-leader, who took caravans abroad with the permission of the king. He has not been mentioned always as a member of the council, and at one place in the NC. he has been mentioned amongst the personal staff of the king. It is, however, clear that the business communities played an important part in the political life and administration of this age.
The above-mentioned officers constituted the council of the king. Besides, there were the heads of various departments who in turn were assisted by a number of sub-officers. An analysis of the nature and duties of a large number of officials mentioned in the NC. enables us to visualize the working of the following departments of the State : Royal House-hold
In the monarchical form of government the department of royal house-hold must have claimed the foremost importance. Rajakula was the centre of State-politics. The royal palace (pasada, bhavana); was provided with every convincible amenities for comforts, was surrounded by walls and moats. (prakāra, parikha) 8 and was guarded day and night by the royal guards (arakkhiya-purisa). It was decorated with gardens and parks, and its floor was studded with precious stones and
1. gert het start 91–NC. 3, p. 57; also Holly37 57 trefa formal
Tree Sit At heet-NC. 2, p. 234. 2. BEGITEUE qaratui ETT HETTI ART-NC. 2, p. 267. 3. जम्मि य पट्टे सिरिया देवी कज्जति तं वैटेणगं, तं जस्स रण्णा अणुन्ना सो सेट्ठी
Huufa–NC. 2, p. 450. 4. RETT TEJ ORTOTT Fou arele ÀI FRUTTET-Ibid. 5. SAAT TRIHEATOT BE il serait à Fra161–NC. 2, p. 469. 6. NC. 2, p. 232. 7. NC. 1, p. 9; NC. 3, p. 397. 8. NC. I, p. 9.
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