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The Indian Analyst
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South Indian Inscriptions |
ADMINISTRATION measured by the number of elephants in it. The elephants–drivers also had a considerable importance and had their own gana or corporation.1 The head of the elephant force was called Mahāpīlupati in early times. Later, he came to be known as Mahāpramattavāra. He occupied an influential position in early times and was sometimes appointed even the head of a territorial division. Nirihullaka, for instance, who was Mahāpīlupati, is described as Bhōgikapālaka and had a military officer under him.2 Later Kalachuri inscriptions mention the Mahāsvasādhanika,3 who was the head of the cavalry which as a mobile force may have attained a great importance in the later age. It is noteworthy that the Rewa stone incrip- tion mentions a Ghōtaka-vigraha or Battle of Horses, fought and won by Vappulla, a general of the kalachuri Emperor Karna.4
Baladhikrita5 and Senapati6 were the general terms denoting a military officer. Later, Sādhanika was used in the same sense. Gaulmikas were officers in charge of a troop of soliders or a battalion of the army. The Commander-in-chief is called Mahābalādhikrita7 in earler records and Mahāsēnāpati8 in later ones. It is curious that the Commander-in-chief of the whole army is generally not mentioned among the officers named in later Kalachuri grants.9On the other hand, we find that the Mahāpramattavāra and the mahāsvasādhanika, who were the chief commanders of the elephant force and cavalry, are mentioned speci- fically. The reason may be that the kings themselves were the commanders-in-chief of their armies. Military officers are generally mentioned as Dutakas in early land-grants The Dandapāśika10 was a Police Officer. The Superintendent of the Police was called Ārakshika11 He was generally a military officer. Thus, Satyanāga who erected the yashti at Erikina was both Senāpati and Ārakshika. The Police Officers who were specially charged with the investigation of thefts and apprehension of thieves and other criminals were called Chōrōddharanikas.12 The Dushtasādhaka mentioned in the kahla Plates13 was probably a Police Officer of the same type. The Chātas and bhatas, who are frequently mentioned in early land-grants, were policemen and soldiers whose duty it was to main- tain peace and order in the country and to apprehend criminals. They were often harsh and exacting in their ways and were, therefore, forbidden to enter agrahāra villages except for apprehending thieves and persons accused of high treason.14 Foreign Department—In ancient times this was called Sandhi-vigraha-ādhikarana (the
Department of Peace and War). Its head Mahāsāndhivigrahika figures in several early grants
as the writer of copper-plate charters.15 In fact, it was laid down that such charters should
be written only by this officer and none else, in accordance with the instructions received
from the King.16 The reason was that of all the departments of the State, the Department 1No. 120,1.4.
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