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STATE AND ADMINISTRATION
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flourished. Persons belonging to these groups were called gosthikas. The kings of our period are seen bestowing certain powers on these bodies. Thus, an inscription, dated V.E. 1348 of the reign of Sāmantasimha Cāhamāna of Jālor, informs us that gosthi was authorised to transact all the business of income and expenditure of hațța (market place). They are also entitled to form a body known as the institutions of bhattaka.2 In another Jain inscription from Ghațiyālā, dated V.E. 918 of the reign of Kakkuka, we are told that the king authorised the bhāțțaka goşthi to protect the temple of Jina which he had built and donated.3
The goşthis of our period also enjoyed certain privileges. Thus, we know from a Jain inscription from Osia of Kelhaņadeva, dated V.A. 1236, that the king made his grant before them, and the storehouse was kept under them. Another Jain inscription from Sevädi, dated V.E. 1198, informs us that goşthi possesses the power to impose restrictions.5
Hemacandra mentions many goşthis, eighteen in traditional number. It seems that a number of people of different sections were employed in different establishments in the city and belonged either to the government service or non-government service. They organised themselves into co-operation in order to be associated with the running of the local administration, X. The Local Government:
The existence of the Local Government is also revealed from the Jain sources, although they do not give much account of their activities.
Municipalities: Probably there were municipal bodies which controlled certain affairs of the town. Many Jain inscriptions from Western India mention mahajana-sabhā and gramiņa sábhā as two separate bodies. The Nadalāi inscription, dated V.E. 1200 of the reign of Rāyapăla, mentions mahājana-grāmiņa-janapada-samaksa.6 Another inscription of the same king found at the same place mentions that the mahajana, all combined, donated certain objects. It also differentiates mahājanas from others. The Sevādi Jain inscription, dated V.E. 1172, of the reign of Anahilla, shows that commander Yaśodeva was ranked first in the king's court as well as in
1 Jain Lekha-sangraha, I, p. 236. 2 Ibid., p. 249. 3 Ibid., I, p. 261: atacul 12999 4 Ibid., I, p. 198. 5 Ibid., I, p. 227: 1187 SEAL G T: 67: 1 6 Jain Lekha-sangraha, I, p. 213. 7 Ibid., pp. 213, 214.
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