Jain Inscriptions of Rajasthan

Author(s): Ramvallabh Somani
Publisher: Rajasthan Prakrit Bharti Sansthan Jaipur

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temple inscription22 of V. E. 1030 (973 A. D.) records that Sinhraj's two sons namely Chandraraj and Govindraj and his brother Vatsaraj made grants out of their own estates (Sva-Bhag-Apta) through deeds duly signed by them (Sva-Hasta-Ankita-Shashanam).
Feudal Chiefs :
Most Rajput rulers had several feudatory chiefs under them. This feudal set up existed at least from the time of the Pratihars and perhaps even earlier. The Devagarh23 inscription of Bhoj Pratihar dated V. E. 919 (862 A. D.) records that this overlord owns a host of Samantas. The Kharataragachchha24.Pattavali speaks of the presence of several Samantas in the court of Chauhan Prithviraj III. These Samantas obviously had their own states which were ruled autonomously by them. However, they were not free in the management of external affairs. These Samantas may be classified into two categories viz. (i) Samantas of imperial rulers and (ii) Samantas of petty rulers. The Jain inscriptions of Rajasthan record the names of several Samantas who made donations to Jain temples from time to time.
The King's Cabinet :
For successful government every king needed good ministers. Among the Sapta-Anga25 or seven constituent parts of the state, spoken of by ancient political theorists, Amatya, Mantri or Diwan held an eminent position. He used to assist the king in the matters concerning state-craft and administration. It is said that even a most intelligent king can not know everything himself. He was therefore, advised to seek assistance of competent ministers. The cabinet of such ministers was known as the Mantri-Parishad or Mantri-Mandal. In the Jain inscriptions, the minister is also called as the Mahamatya or Sachiva or Raj-Mantri The actual strength of the cabinet main
22. E. I. Vol. II p. 102 23. Jain Shilalekh-Sangrah Vol. II No. 128/An. Rep. A. S. I. Vol. X p.101. 24. The Kharataragachchha-Pattavali pp. 25-33. 25. ibid pp. 25-32./Prithviraj Chauhan and His Times by the Author p. 86.