The reflection of various Sanskrit literature, theology and archaeological evidences in the administrative system of medieval Koch king Biswa Singha of Koch dynasty…

                 

                            Ccoochbehar Palace 

Author - Biswarup Chatterjee 

            

            The Eastern part of ancient India has been known as Pragyotisha, Lauhitya, Kamrupa or Kamata since prehistoric period. We get the reference of this in the epic, puranas, various inscriptions as well as the works of the historians. The entire Brahmaputra valley of Assam, north and east Bengal, North east Bihar and Nepal belong to this region. This province ware inhabited by various indigenous people, among them the Rajbanshi was one of them, the title of Koch was given to this Rajbamsi people. The present Cooch Behar is a city as well as a municipality under the state of West Bengal in India. The city is also a district headquarter of present Cooch behar district, as well as a tourist destination in present West Bengal, situated in the foothills of Eastern Himalaya’s. Moreover, it is also a remnant of Royal Heritage in the northern region of Bengal and a part of the eastern state agency of the Bengal Presidency. During the British rule it was a princely state and ruled by the Koch Kingdom. After 20th August 1949 the district was transformed from a princely state to its present status, as a city as well as the district headquarters of present West Bengal. Although the ancient state Cooch behar which was considered as a district of present-day West Bengal, in the Middle age it was a powerful large Empire. The present Cooch behar is mainly a part of the ancient state of Kamrup. So, it can be said that the history of ancient Cooch Behar is a part of the history of Greater Kamrup. Although Kamarupa is a district of Assam today, but in ancient period it became a vast region, it covered the entire Brahmaputra valley, North Bengal, Bhutan and Northern part of Bangladesh and a portion of West Bengal and Bihar, from the korotowa river in the west and up to the border of Nepal and Bhutan in the east. It covered under four subregions, such as, Kāmpeeṭha, Ratnapeeṭha, Saumārapeeṭha and Suvarnapeeṭha, every subregion has its own boundaries. Evidence of that history is found in various ancient and modern literatures, scriptures, epic and various inscriptions and land grant charters etc, which I mentioned earlier. In Ramayana and Mahabharata we are getting the name of ancient Prāgjyotiṣa instead of Kāmrūpa. 

            it cannot be said with certainty that Whether is there any hereditary connection between the khen and the Koch king or not, but the Khen rulers and the early Koch rulers used to take the title "Kamateshwar" (lord of Kamatapur). Based on this information, it can be said that Kamatapur was the centre of power of both the dynasties at that time. Extreme anarchy ensued after the destruction of the Khen Empire by the Muslim rulers, the Koch chiefs gradually gaining strength and advancing towards the seizure of power. The beginning of the Koch dynasty is considered as the auspicious beginning of a new era in history. The reign of the Koch kings in the kamrup or kamatapur region began in 917 BE, 1432 Saka era and 1510 CE. King Chandan is generally considered to be founder of the Koch empire although this king Chandan did not reign for long, he ruled for only a short time of 12 years (1510 - 1522 CE) and after his death, Maharaja Biswasingha was crowned in 1522 CE at the age of only 22 years and a new chapter began. 

           

          This king Bishwa Singh was a strong warrior, a successful conqueror, besides he was very much devoted to duty and a pious man, he was a worshiper of Shiva and Durga and respected the followers of Vaisnavism. He used to give alms to priests and astrologers, he used to help the poor and tourists from distant lands and he used to show due respect to them. He took various important steps to ensure the smooth running of his administration. Notable among these, is the introduction of a well-organized and efficient system of governance. He built this regime very well and created various administrative posts to conduct his administration properly. We find the references to such administrative posts in several epigraphic records as well as in various literary sources like Arthasastra, Manusamhita, Naradasmriti, Darrang rajvamsavli etc. For example, if we look at the epigraphic records of the Pala dynasty, we will find a long list of different officials according to rank. The Mongyer Copper Plate inscription of King Devapala (mid-9th century CE. Regnal Year-33) can be mentioned as an example, which reflects the existence of approximately thirty five to forty types of royal employees as well as officers in this charter , such as prince, minister, the inspector general of intelligence branch, commander-in-chief, aide-de-camp, tributary chief, member in charge of store, principal great keeper, minister in charge of princes, advisor, officer enjoying same status as the king, officer in charge of the department of religion, member in charge of detection of crimes, officer in charge of annihilation of theft, judicial officer, executive officer, man in charge of excise, forest official, protectors of land fit for tillage, border, fort and portions of territory supervisor, special officers, superintendent of units of elephants, horses and camels etc .“samupagtān sarvvāneva rāṇaka │rājaputra│amātya│mahākārttakṛtika│…mahāsāman-ta│mahādauḥsādha│sādhanika│kumārāmātya│pramātṛ│sarabhaṅga..rājasthāniya…gaulmika│prāntapāla….koṭṭapāla…viniyuktaka│hastyaśvῑṣṭṛ(va)kavyāpṛtaka (│) kiśīra-va(ḍa)vā-gomahiṣājāvikād-hyatta│….gamāgamika│abhitvaram-āṇa│viṣayapati…mālava-khaśa-huṅa-kulika-karṇāṭa-lā (ṭa cā) ṭa-bhāṭa…sevakādīn anyāṃścākīrttān…vrāhmaṇottrān...kuṭumvi-purogamedāndh-raka-caṇḍāla-paryantāt (sa-) māñjāpayati │” (CBI. p. 114.). Apart from the epigraphic records of the Pala dynasty, we find the references to such officials in other records also, as we see in Damodarpur copper plate inscription of the time of Kumaragupta 1 (444 CE.) discovered from the village Damopdarpur in Dinajpur district, present Bangladesh. The officials were Provincial Viceroy, (uparika), kumārāmātya (a person who administering the local government), Chief Marchant (nagaraśreṣthi), chief caravan trader (sārthavāha), the chief artisan (prathamakulika), the chief scribe (Prath-amakāyastha), the record keepers (pustapāla) “ …pauṇḍravarddhana-bhuktāduparika-cirātadttasy-a, kumārāmātya vetravarmma-ṇi adhiṣṭhānādhikaranañca nagaraśreṣthidhṛtip-āla-sārthavāhavand-humitra-pr-athamakulikadhṛtimitra Prath-amakāyastha…pustapāla risida-tta… ” (CBI. p. 45). Beside this we find the references of various royal officials in Kautilya Arthasastra, such as gopa, sthānika, anīkastha, aśvadamaka, jaṅghākārika, gaṇaka etc “gopasthānikāstha-cikitskāśva-damakajaṅghākā….”. (Arthasastra. p. 26). In Manusamhita, Lord Manu has said about the appointment of royal employees, he also discussed about the appointment of ministers, secretaries, envoys, spies etc. Manu says in order to conduct the administrative affairs of the kingdom smoothly, the king will recruit as many people as are needed, like hardworking person (those who are not lazy to do their work), energetic (those who work with enthusiasm), efficient (those who working or operating quickly and effectively in an organised way), and prudent people. He also says that among the secretaries those who are virtuous, cunning, good natured and not greedy for money will be appointed at the place of origin of wealth, such as in gold mines or in the place of supervision of foodstuffs. “nirbertetāsya zābadbhiriti kartbyatā nṛbhiḥ ǀ tābatoatandritān dakṣān prkurbīta bicakṣaṇān ǀǀ” “teṣāmarthe nijuñjīta śūrān dakṣān kulodgatān ǀ sucīnākarakarmānte bhīrunantarnibeśane ǀǀ” (Manusaṃhitā. chap. 7. v. 61.).  

           Maharaja Bishwa singha appointed his brother Sishwa singha to the post of "Raikat" (History of Koch Kingdom. p. 29). Raikat Sisyasingha figured prominently in the regimes of Maharaja Biswasingha and Naranarayana. He was the step brother of Maharaja Biswasingha. When he became Raikat he constructed a house near Siliguri, that part of the country being given to him as appanage. According to some local resources, the person holding the title of Raikat will be the head of the family and he will be the prime minister of the king as well as the head of the army. The word raikat also means raikot or Durgādhakṣya "the chief of the fortress" (CBI. p. 130, 181). In Bhagalpur Copper-plate inscription of Narayanapaladeva (Late 9th century CE, Regnal Year-17), Monghyr copper plate grant of Devapala (mid-9th century CE Regnal Year-33) etc we get the reference of a royal official, i.e., Koṭṭapāla (CBI. p. 163), who is identified as the protector of fort. Here the term ‘Koṭṭa’ is identified as fort. These Raikot post holders were the right-hand man of the kings of Kochbihar. At the time of the coronation of the kings of Kochbihar, these raikats held the royal umbrella over the head of the Maharaja of Cooch Behar, hence the raikats are known as umbrella kings or ‘Chatradhari Rajas’ (History of Koch Kingdom. p. 29). Even after they became ordinary Zaminders, they were still addressed as ‘Rajas’. Therefore, it can be said that from the point of view of power, that this ‘raikat’ hold the position next to the king in power and prestige. We find the mention of the word ‘Chatra’ in the Vakataka inscription. According to Dinesh Chandra Sircar, this chatra means “umbrella-bearer” (Indian Epigraphy. p. 361-362) a peon. According to him the word ‘chatra’ has been used instead of Cāṭa . in most of the epigraphic records, the word Cāṭa refers to a low-ranking official. We have the word Chatra instead of Cāṭa in the Nowgong plates inscription of Balavarma “Chatravasadyupadravakarinamapra-vesa” (Kāmarūpaśāsanāvalῑ. p. 117). which was translated by Hoernle as “the providing of the rooms for the Royal umbrella” (Kāmarūpaśāsanāvalῑ. p. 117). But this does not appear as confirming to the context and the meaning attributed to it by Dr. Sircar seems more probable. such as a peon or piada, a prototype of the fourth-grade employees that serve the royal notices on persons and therefore arrogates to himself all royal powers to secure for himself certain financial benefits from the ignorant or the deceitful people (Indian Epigraphy. p. 361-362). According to Darang rajvamsavali, this Siswasingha was anointed as the Yuvaraja, usually called the Crown Prince. “bijaya muhūrtta kṣṇa tesmve khilā ǀ sehi belā yubavāja śiśuka pātilā ǀǀ” (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. v. 151.). The princely position probably played an important role in governing the state. Evidence of this is found in various epigraphic records, such as in Hayunthal copper-plate inscription of Harjaravarma (c. 9th century CE) prince Vanamaladeva issue the charter while king Harjaravarma seems to have been away from the capital. “Yuvarājaśrīvanamālāḥ samāñjāpayantevaṃ viditamastu bhavatāmityādi ǀ”(Kāmarūpaśāsanāvalῑ. pp. 36-39). It is evident from the various records that the crown prince or Yuvaraja had to go through very strict discipline and very difficult training. The reason for this difficult training or discipline is that at any moment a prince should take all the responsibilities of the kingdom in his own shoulder, such as in Dubi grant of Bhaskaravarma (7th century CE), here king established Mahabhutivarma as a Crown Prince with due solemnity. “śrīmahābhūtavarmmāṇaṃ mahābhūtamivāparam ǀ taṃ khyāto balavarmmāṇamabnyaṣiñcacca mānadaḥ ‖” (Inscription of Assam. p. 10) we see the King Vanamala of Assam handed over all the administration and responsibilities of the kingdom to his son (prince) when he realised that his son was properly capable for higher positions in terms of educational qualifications and proper training “saṃ śīlaṃ sadaiva yasyābhūta ‖ yenātulāpi satulā jagati viśālāpi būrikṛtaśāla ǀ paṃktiḥ prāsādānām- kṛtavicitrāpi … ‖ tasyātmajaḥ śrījayamāladevaḥ kṣhīrāmburāśeriva śītaraśimaḥǀ " (Kāmarūpaśāsanāvalῑ. p. 71-77. Newgong CP, v, 16,17). If we undergo nearly all the epigraphic records of the Assam kings, we discovered the references of princes in addresses of a trendy nature to all of the officials involved at the time of issue of a certain charter. The same officers are being addressed in all the charters of Assam almost in the similar way while announcing the gift of the land with the demarcation of its boundaries. 

“yathāyathaṃ samupasthitabrāhmaṇāadi viṣayakaraṇavyavahār-ikapramukhajānapadān rājarāñjīrṇakādhikṛtanānyanānapi rāj-anyakarājaputrar-ājavallabhaprabhṛtin yathākālabhā-vinoapi sarvvān mānanāpūrvvakaṃ sa-mādiśati” (Kāmarūpaśāsanāvalῑ. p. 111).

           Now the most interesting thing is the term ‘rajaputra’ and ‘yuvaraja’. There is distinct difference between it, the inscriptions clearly shows that the position of the Yuvaraja was much higher than the other ordinary or the younger princes enjoying certain royal prerogatives. The word ‘rajaputra’ may mean the other princes of the royal family who might lay their claims to certain chunks of territories of the kingdom whenever some opportunity for such claims may offer himself.

          Biswasingha then formed a cabinet to consolidate his system of governance, bringing together 12 members from twelve Mech tribal families among his childhood friends. Probably Bishwasingh formed his ministry or Council of advisors with these 12 people. The cabinet of these 12 people was called a ‘Kārjī’, which is very interesting and unique. “… ehi bāva jana āni śubhakṣṇa cāi ǀ Sabāke pātilā kārjji āñjāka śunāi ǀ…” (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. p. 32. v. 164.).

           Ancient political theorists viewed this ministry or a Council of Advisors as an essential element of the political system. We can see in one instance in the Mahabharata how crucially dependent the king is on his ministers “tsmād rājendra bhūmarthe nānṛtaṃ vaktumarhasi ǀ mā gamaḥsasutāmātyo nāśaṃ putrārthamannuban ‖” (Mahabharata. Uddyog Parva. v. 39.). According to the Arthashastra, the king can only prosper with the help of an experienced advisor. “sahāyasādhyaṃ rājatvyaṃ cakramekaṃ na vartate ǀ Kūrvīta sacivāstasmātteṣāṃ ca śṛṇūyānmatam ‖” (Arthasastra. p. 8) According to Manu if any one tries to solve any complex matter of the administration without the aid of ministers, then a simple task appears tough. “ api yatsukaraṃ karma tadapyekena kena duṣkaram ǀ viśeṣatoasahāyena kinu(kiṃ tu) rājyaṃ mahodayam ‖”. (Manusaṃhitā. chap. 7. v. 55). According to Sukraniti even an all-rounder king, cannot know everything because everyone has various aptitudes. Therefore, the king should require the assistance of capable ministers. If not, he'll make sure his own annihilation along with his kingdom “ purūṣe purūṣe bhinnyaṃ dṛśyte buddhibaibhavam ǀ āptvākairanubhabairāgamairanumānataḥ ǀ na hi tatsakalaṃ ñjatu nareṇaikena śakyte ǀ ataḥ sahāyānvarayedrājā rājyābhivṛddhye ‖ vinā prkṛtirmamaṃtrādrājājyanāśo bhaved dhruvam ǀ rodhanaṃ na bhavettasmādrāñjste syuḥ sumaṃtriṇaḥ ‖”. (Sukraniti. p. 106. chap. 2. v. 5.). 

            Now Let's discuss the ministry's strength. According to Manu, the ministry should have 7 or 8 in members “sacivānsapta caṣṭau vā kūrvīta suparīkṣitān” (Manusaṃhitā. p. 655. v. 54). According to the Mahabharata the number should be 8 “asṭānāṃ maṃntrṇāṃ madhye maṃtraṃ rājapadhārayet”38, the Manava, the Barhaspatya, and the Ausanasa schools were in favour of a Ministry of 12, 16, and 20 respectively “mantripariṣdaṃ dvādaśāmātyān kūrvati” ti mānavāḥ ǀ “ṣodaśo” ti bārhaspatyaḥ ǀ “viṃśatim” ityauśanasāḥ ǀ (Arthasastra. p. 17.).”

           According to Kautilya this number should be fixed as per the capacity of the men performing in various types of function “yathāsāmarthyam” iti kauṭilyaḥ ǀ . Ministry of 10 is recommended by sukraniti - “mantrī ca prāḍavivākaśca paṇḍitaśca sumantrakaḥ ǀ Amātyo dūtaityetava rāñjaḥ prkṛtayo daśa ‖”. (Sukraniti. p. 122. v. 70.). Therefore, it is evident that this disagreement over the subject is the result of the various needs of the many states. and Kautilya agree with each other in stating that the actual number of ministers should depend upon the need of the situation in the state concerned “nirbartte yābadbhiriti kartbyatā nṛbhiḥ ǀ tābatoatandritān dakṣāna prkurbīta bicakṣṇān ‖” (Manusaṃhitā. chap. VIII. p. 61.). “ yathāsāmarthyamiti kauṭilya” (Arthasastra. p.9). According to Daranga Rajavamsaali, King Biswasingh appointed Barihana as Minister of War and Foreign Affairs “pānabava bavihanā phedaphedo vāi ” (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. v. 163). The war minister is an essential component of the ministry. according to Sukraniti a war minister is one who is well-versed in organisational skills as well as experienced in the doctrine and practise of war. It was his responsibility to see that every fort was fully manned, as well as the branches of all the army was properly outfitted or not, and everything was operating at maximum capacity or not. “karttabyah kiṃ phalaṃ tebhyo bahumadhyaṃ tathālpkam ǀ etat sañcitya niścitya mantrī sarvvaṃ nivedayet ‖” (Sukraniti. p. 128. v. 95.) Another crucial component of the ministry is the foreign minister. While the others refer to the foreign minister as Mantrin, the more important title of Mahasandhibigrahika, "the highest official in charge of peace and war, "rāja rājanaka rājaaputra rājāmātya mahāsāndhivigrahika… viniyuktaka ǀ”(CBI. p. 167). The foreign ministers were expected to be knowledgeable about the four front-fold policies of sāma (conciliation), dāna (appeasement), danḍa (war), and bheda (sowing dissension within the enemy's camp) “upāyaḥ sāmopapradānabhedadaṇḍaḥ”46. The Mahasandhibigrahika was often responsible for authorising those land related copper plate charters, where land and villages were granted to the Brahmanas, temples, and monasteries. According to an unidentified passage cited in the Mitakshara, the Sandhibigrahika should draught the copper plate charters. “ saṃdhivigrhehakārī tū bhavedyastasya lekhakaḥ”47 (Mitakshara. p. 124.) Each of them were very trustworthy and honest. So, the members of this cabinet created by Maharaja Biswasingh were called Mantrins “…mantrī kāryye tāvā duiko ādeśa dilanta ǀǀ” (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. p. 32. v. 164.) According to the Manusanghita, the king should have seven or eight such ministers, who have been ministers of a dynasty in accordance with the hereditary law, who were prodigious in many branches of epistemology, who were worthy of valour or good warriors, who were specially trained in armaments, who were noble as well as belongs from good family and those who are sworn by gods and tested with deception “maulāñ śāstrabidaḥ śūrānlabdhlakṣyān kulodgatān ǀ Sacibān saptcāsṭau vā prkurbīta parīkṣitān ‖”.(Manusaṃhitā. chap. 7. v. 54.).  

          Kautilya in his Arthashastra mentioned the process of examination about the characteristic purity or impurity of the ministers by various types of allurements which was offer by the king with the assistance of prime minister and high priest, according to kautilya there are four types of allurements for this process, namely-religious allurement (dharmopadhā), monetary allurement (arthapadhā), love allurement (kāmopadhā) and allurement under fear (bhayapdhā) “mantripurohitasakhassāmānyeṣvadhikaraṇeṣu  sthāpayitvānupadhābhiṣvaśocayet ǀ purohitamayājyayāj-anādhyāpane niyuktamamūṣyamāṇaṃ rājāvakṣipet ǀsatribhiḥ …. ǀ pratyākhyāneśuciḥ ǀ iti dharmopadhā” “senāpatirasatpragraheṇāvakṣiptaḥ….sarveṣāmetadrocate, kathaṃ vā tava’ iti ‖ pratyākhyāneśuciḥ ǀ ityart-hapadhā ǀ” “parivrājikā labdhaviśvasāntaḥpure …..te bhaviṣyati iti ǀ pratyākhyāneśuciḥ iti kāmopadhā ǀ” “prahavaṇanimittamekoamātyaḥ …sadhu enaṃ itvānyaṃ pratipādayāmaḥ, sarveṣāmetadrocate, kathaṃ vā tava’ iti ‖ pratyākhyāneśuciḥ ǀ iti bhayopadhā ǀ” (Arthasastra. p. 10).

           we notice the presence of such cabinets system in different epigraphic records, as an example we can say about the Hayunthal Grant of Harjaravarma (c. 9th century CE), which gives a clear picture of individual officers and ministers who were ordered by Prince Vanamala during the announcement of the donation, its gives an idea of a cabinet system with distinct roles headed by a prime minister. The list of officers given Hare does not include a Council of Ministers, which is a group of high-ranking officials that are each responsible to the king but functioning independently. “sakalabhubhanānanditacakramaṇdan-ama- hāsainyapatiśrīgaṇa ǀ mahādvārādhipatyaśrījayadeva ǀ mahāpratihāraśrījanār-dana ǀmahāmātya śrīgovinda ǀmadhusūdana ǀ brāhmaṇādhikārabhaṭṭa-” (Kāmarūpaśāsanāvalῑ. p. 36-39). In Bengal inscription also we get a reflection of such cabinet system, for example we can mention various records of the Pala kings, such as the Monghyr Copper plate of Devapala bears the large list of officials as witness of the cabinet system “…paramasaugataḥ parameśvara(ḥ) paramabhaṭṭārako mahārājādhirā-śrīmān devapāladeva(ḥ) kuśalo Śrīnagarabhauktau krimilā-viṣāntaḥpāti-svasamvandhāvicchinntalopeta-meṣik-ā-grāme samupagatā- n sarvvāneva rāṇaka ǀ rājaputra ǀ amātya mahākārttākṛtika ǀ mahādanḍanāyaka ǀ mahāsāmanta ǀ mahādausādhanika ǀ sādhanika ….” (CBI. p. 114) In addition to this Maharaja Biswasingh built the office of the Commander-in-Chief ``mahāsainyapati” (Kāmarūpaśāsanāvalῑ. p. 112) and it was a completely separate department which was for the proper maintenance of the army under the King. This indicates that the king had to carry out regular maintenance of the army in his own capital. 

            In order to properly manage military and revenue matters, Maharaja Biswasingha had to take a full account of the people living in his kingdom, so he adopted a census plan and found that there were 52,25,000 physically abled people who were capable of carrying a weapon in his kingdom. “bṛddh bālakaka ebi yubata yteka ǀ bhāge bhāge gaṇi gaṇi bujilā pratyeka ǀǀ bāraṇṇa ye lakṣa sainya pañciśa hājāra ǀ samūhe lekhile sainya asaṇkhya apāva ǀ” (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. v. 198). After the census was completed, Biswasingha organised his regime based on military force. Biswasingha created the officers of different classes according to rank in his administrative system of governance which was similar to the conventional system of governance in contemporary Bengal. He appoints able-bodied men as pāik (perhaps the minor officials who were associated with the police administration), in almost all the land grant records we found the term cāṭa and bhāṭa as a regular occurrence in the list of the officials and other dignitaries mentioned in the land grant charters “parihatasarvvapauḍā acacaṭṭabhaṭṭapra-veśā” (Inscription of Bengal. Barrackpur copper plate inscription of Vijayasena. p. 63) In general, it is inferred that the bhāṭa mean a constable or a pike or piada, while the cāṭa seems to have been the leader of a group of them. Different scholars have expressed their personal views and opinions about the cāṭas and bhāṭas, although it can be said that the cāṭa and bhāṭa are mentioned in most of the epigraphic records belonging to the lowest rank of royal servants. The one who will have 20 pike under him is called 'Thakuria'. There will be 100 pāik under which he is 'Shaikia'. 'Hazari' / 'Hazarika' will manage 1000 pikes, 3000 pikes will be managed by one 'Umrah' and 'Nawab' will have 6000 pikes under control “ gaṇanato gṇi bhāla bhāla bhṛtya yata ǀ biṣaya pātibe lailā sabāva madhyta ǀǀ biṇśati pāikava adhikarī ṭhākuriyā ǀ śatekava adhipati pati śaikīyā ǀǀ (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. v. 196.) sahastrva adhikarī pātilā hājārī ǀ umvaau tini hājāvaba adhikāri ǀǀ bāiśa umvāba pati nabāva pātilā ǀǀ ehi mate bhāge bhāge, ādeśa karilā ǀǀ” (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. v. 197.) All these royal servants were given land as remuneration. Normally this type of allotment of land or land revenue was deemed strictly as a part of their salaries which could not be gifted away, sold or bequeathed. In the seventh chapter of Manusamhita we find the mention of village headman (grāmādhipati) (Manusaṃhitā. chap.7. p. 684.). It is said that the village headman will receive a special portion for his livelihood from the goods which the villagers will pay to the king as tax. Manusamhita mentions daśī (lord of ten villages), biṃśī (lord of twenty villages), śatagrāmādhipati (one hundred villages), sahasragrāmādhipati (one thousand villages). According to Manu the lord of ten villages, should receive the remuneration of one kula of land, of twenty villages of five kulas, of one hundred villages of one village, and of one thousand villages of one town let. “yāni rājaprdeyāni prtyahaṃ grāmabāsibhiḥǀ annpānendhanādīni grāmikstānyavāpnuyāt ǀǀ” (Manusaṃhitā. chap. 7. v. 118) “Dasῑ kulsntu bhuñjῑta biṃsῑ pañca kulani ca | Grāmaṃ grāmaṥatādhyakṣaḥ sahasrādhipatiḥ puram ||” (Manusaṃhitā. chap.7. v.119.).

          The Mahabharata also recommends the allotment of land in the way of salaries to rural officers in the form of land donation in Danadharma section of Anuśāsana parva. In Arthasastra Kauṭilya also mentioned a class of land granted to certain state officers, i.e., superintendents, accountants, messengers, gopas, sthānikas, veterinary surgeons, physicians, horse trainers etc. “adhyaksasankayayakadibhyo gopasthanikanikasthacikitsakascadamakajankakarikebhyosc”. (Arthasastra. p. 26.). Apart from this we get examples of such land donations in various epigraphic records also. It would appear from the records of Hu-En-Tsang and Bana’s Harsacharit that during the reign of Harsa the state officer got remuneration only in the form of land grant, but it is from the 9th century CE we get epigraphic references of land grant made to officers. The Bargaon Copper Plates records the grant of a village by king Vajrahasta III, which clearly indicate that the grant was actually made by an officer of the king out of his own fief. It would appear that the grant of the officer had to be issued in the name of the king. Another similar case is found in the Meher Copper Plates of Damodaradeva (2nd quarter of 13th century CE, Ṥaka year 1156.), which introduces Gangadharadeva, the officer in charge of the royal elephant forces who is mentioned after the reference of the king “vāraṇa-ghaṭā-salpūtra-mukhyah kṛitῑ śrῑ-Gaṅgādharadeva esha samara Prāgjyotishendr-opamaḥ” (Epigraphia Indica. vol. 29. p. 183. Meher Cooper Plate Inscription of Damodaradeva).

          In the Rajatarangini Suyya, the engineer, is said to have granted a village to the Brahmanas but the service tenure villages were not always permanent grant, the Brihatkathakosa refers to a Sahasrabhaṭṭa, a warrior had been granted a number of villages as his tenure but after his death his fief was not inherited by his sons but by another man skilled in handling javelin and spehar wasn appointed as Sahasrabhaṭṭa worrior. 

          In Paśchimbhāg CP of Sricandra huge amount of land (400 pāṭakas) was granted to various type of donees such as professor, students, astrologer, dancer, gardeners, potters, blacksmith, kayasthas (cleark), drummers, conchblowers, shoemakers, architects, carpenters, oilman, vārikas, vaidyas etc. “candrapurābhidhānaṃ vrahmapuramparikalpaya │etasmina śrīcandrapure │vrahmane │atanmaṭhaprativad-dhacandrivyakhyanopādhyāyasya da- Śadro(drau)ṇikadaśapāṭakāḥ │daśacchātrānāṃ pālipuuṭṭakārthaṃ daśapāṭakāḥ (│) apūrvvapañca vrāhmaṇānāṃ …. pañcapāṭakāḥ │…. Mālākāracatuṣṭayasya │tailikadvayasya….vamanena niyamena viṁṣatyadhikapāṭakaśataṃ │ tathā deśāntarīyamaṭhacatuṣṭaye │vaṅgālamaṭhacatūṣṭayeva │ vaiśvānara-yogeśvara…. ācandrārkakṣitisamakālaṃ yāvat │bhūmicchidranyāyena │ tāmraśāsanīkṛtya │pradattā asmābhiḥ │” (Copper plates of Sylhet. p. 81).

          Maharaja Biswasingha created a well-organised home department, where he appointed various types of officers, namely, raj-purohot (royal priest) “…sārbbabhauma name bhailā vājapuvahita ǀ…” (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. p. 34, v. 173). In the context of the appointment of royal priests in Kautilya Arthasastra it has been said that the king should ought to designate a priest who is exceptionally sublime in family and character, he ought to completely trained in the Veda with its auxiliary sciences, in divine signs, in syndrome and in the science of politics and capable of counteracting divine and human calamities by means of Atharvan remedies. The ruler ought to take after him as like an understudy to his educator, a son to his father, a servant to his master. “purohitamuditoditakulaśīlsṃ ṣaḍaṁga vede daive nimitte daṇḍanītyāṁ ca abhivinītamāpadāṁ daivamānuṣīṇāṁ atharvabhirūpāyaiśca prati-kartaraṁ kurvīta ǀ tamācārya śiṣyaḥ pitaraṁ putro bhṛtyassvāminamiva cānuvartate ǀ” . It is said in Manusamhita that the person, being duly appointed, performs, for one the fire-laying rite, the cooked sacrifices and the Agniṣṭoma and other sacrifices, - is called his “offering priest”. “agnyādheyaṁ pākaynjānagniṣṭomādikān makhān ǀ yaḥ karoti bṛto yasya tasyatvirgihocyte ‖, (Manusaṃhitā. chap. 2, v. 143). Biswasingha also appointed the daivajna (astrologer) “…āta pave daibañjava śunā yena naya…” (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. p. 35, v. 177), the baidya (royal physician) “…āta pave baidyva cavitr śuniyoka ǀ…” 180. In Kautilya Arthasastra it has been said that royal physician should be given land “…. cikitsakāśvadamakajaṅghākāri-kebh-yaśca vikryādhānavarjanam ǀ karadebhyaḥ kṛ-tākṣetrāṇayaikapurūṣikāṇi prayacchet ǀ” (Arthasastra. p. 26). In Manusamhita also lord Manu discuss about the royal physician, where he mention about the medicines of various ailments and their cures through different verses in different chapters of Manusamhita , “ cikitsakānāṁ sarveṣāṁ mithyāpracaratāṁ damaḥ ǀ amānuṣeṣu prsiddhanti tapasteṣāṁhi sādhanamm ‖” (Manusaṃhitā. p. 163) moreover he also appointed tāmbuli (betel nut supplier) “… nṛpava tāmbulī yena śunā āta pave ǀ…” (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. p. 36. v. 182) “…ahovātre tāmbulaka sadā …” (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. p. 36. v. 183), supkar (in charge of Royal kitchen) “…supakāva lakṣaṇa śuniyā āta paba ǀǀ… ” (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. p. 36. v. 184), in arthasastra we are getting the term māhānasika (chief cook). According to Arthasastra the king will always be active in managing his affairs properly, only then his royal servant’s will be active and everyone will do his own work properly. According to Kautilya the king will meet with various royal officials at different times of the day. The king should divide the day into eight parts as also the night by means of nālikās, or by the measure of the shadow (of the gnomon), in the eighth part of the day “ nālikābhiraharaṣṭdhā rātri ca vibhajet ǀ”, the king will meet the various royal officials as well as with the māhānasika (chief cook) “aṣṭme …. māhānasikamauhurtikāṁca pśyte ǀ” Bhandari (store keeper com treasurer- bhāṇḍāgārika , kośādhykṣaḥ), “…bhaṇdavība lkṣṇa śunio anantaba…” (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. p. 36. v. 187), the inscriptions of the Pala king refer the term ‘sādhanika’, sādhana means store or treasury, Sāadhanika is an officer-in-charge of store or treasury. Majumdar (secretary to the king) “…āta pabe śunā majindāvaba lakṣṇa ǀ…” (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. p. 37. v. 189), Dwari (gatekeeper - “mahādausādhanika”) and a group of spies “… dwāvība lakṣṇa kaho hare yena mata ǀ…” (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. p. 38. v. 193). The spy or emissary plays an important role for the proper management of the state. The Dharmashastras and Smritishastras bears a detailed discussion about selection of different types of spies and their activities and functions as well as their qualities also. Discussion on spy system is prevalent in both Manusamhita and Arthasastra. There are five types of spies are mentioned in manusamhita, all of which are called the pañcabarga, these five types of spies are kāpaṭika, udāsthita, gṛhapatibyañjana, baidehakabyañjan-a, tāpasabyañjana “kṛtsnṁ caāṣṭabidhaṁ karma pañcab-argañca tattvtaḥ” (Manusaṃhitā. p. 697. chap. VII. 154). Nine types of spies are mentioned in Arthasastra, they are kāpaṭika, udāsthita, gṛhapatika, baidehaka, tāpasera, satri, tīkṣna, rasada, bhikṣukī “updhābhiśaśuddhāmātyavarga gūḍhapurūṣānutpādyet kāpaṭiko-dāsthitagṛh-ap-atikavaideha-katāpasavyñj-anan satritīkṣṇarasadabhikṣukīśca ǀ” (Arthasastra. p. 1) 

           Biswasingh also appointed his children to various positions in his administrative system (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. v. 255-265), he instructed his eldest son Narasimha to rule a foreign land, the Sukranitisara provides a list of the number of so-called cabinet, which is actually an advisory council because it includes a number of executive position, three cabinet members hold the positions viz, Saciva, Mantrin and Amātya, among these three the Mantri is known as the foreign minister in Sukraniti, who was also designated as “mahāsandhivigrahika” (the chief officer in charge of peace and war or the minister of external affair), probably the post held by Narasimha. He appointed his next two children, Malladev and Shukladhwaj, as princes “yuvarāja”. His other sons like Gosai Kamal was in charge of the department of road and communication, Ramchandra was in charge of treasury, probably “hiragayasāmudāyika”, the head of the royal treasury as per the Mallasarul Copper-plate inscriptions of Vijayasena of the time of Gopacandra of 6th century CE (CBI. p. 87). Moreover, we are getting the reference of a post “sādhanika” in various inscriptions which means an officer in charge of store and treasury. Maidan was in charge of construction of bridges. The Bhagalpur copper plate inscription of Narayanapaladeva (Late 9th century, year 17.) mentioned the official designation “mahākārtākṛtika” (CBI. p. 163). which means the highest officials of the department of works and buildings and in charge of construction of buildings, embankments and reservoirs. Although it is not clear here that whether Maidan was only the in charge of the construction of bridges or other’s also like mahākārtākṛtika, however it can be assumed that the post allotted to Maidan is quite similar with mahākārtākṛtika. Mecha was in charge of observing the production of canons and guns, in Kaitilya Arthasastra we are getting a term “āyudhāgārādhyakṣa” (The superintendent of the armoury) “āyudhāgārādhyakṣa sāṁgrāmika daurgakarmikaṁ parapurābhidhānikaṁ yantramāyudhamāvaraṇamupakaraṇaṁ …. Kārayet” (Arthasastra. p. 56) perhaps the position held by Mecha is quite similar with this post. Surya Singh and Brishketu were assigned to look after the goldsmiths and blacksmiths. In arthasastra Kautilya mentioned the important role of goldsmiths, according to him the activities of the goldsmith also played an important role for the betterment of the country. The goldsmith should cause the gold and silver work of the citizens and the country people to be carried out by workshop artisans “sauvarṇikaḥ paurajānapadānāṁ rūpyasuvarṇmāvaśanibhiḥ kārayet” (Arthasastra. p. 49). Ramnarayan and Harisingh were in charge of organizing and supervising different types of festivals and different types of musical performances. Dipsingha was to take charge of the animals like horse, elephant, cows and buffellows, in various inscriptions we are getting the reference of this post, such as in Belava copper plate of Bhojavarman (c. mid-12th century, year 12.) (CBI. P. 234), we see the existence of the post “naubalahastyaśagomahiṣājāvikādivyāpṛtaka” which means the officer in charge of the fleet, infantry, elephant, horse, cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep etc. In Madhainagar copper plate inscription of Lakshmanasena (c. 13th century, regnal year 25th.) (Inscription of Bengal. p. 106) we are getting the same reference. The Monghye copper plate inscription of Devapaladeva (c. 9th century CE, regnal year 33.) mentioned the post “hastyaśvoṣṭṛ(va)lavyāpṛtaka (ǀ) kiśora-va(ḍa)vā-gomahiṣājāvikādhyakṣa” (CBI. p. 114) it means superintendent of units of elephants, horses and camels, official manager of young mares, cows, she-goats and sheep. Teli (oilman), Ananta and Meghnarayan were in charge of tantis (wavers), jolas (maker of cotton thread) etc. In arthasastra we are getting the reference of “sūtrādhakṣya” (Arthasastra. p. 63) which means the superintendent of yarns and textiles, probably to some extent similar with the post “jolas”. “…svrṇava ṭopolā navasinghe ānilanta ǀ bideśata vaja haiba āñjā kavilanta ǀǀ…” śukldhvje ānilanta lohāra ṭuplī ǀ” “…bole yubavāja haiba ehe mahābalī ǀ…” “…yaradhānya ānilanta gohāi kamala ǀ…” “būpava ṭopalā vāmacndre ānilanta ǀ bhaṇdāvaba adhikāva tānka pātilanta ǀǀ setuva ṭopalā ānilanta mayadāna ǀ śila-sako bāndhibe bulilā thane thane ǀǀ ” “mecaye ānilā yito sīhāva ṭupli ǀ Bulilā bandukīhaiba ito mahābalī ǀǀ vaṅgaba ṭopolā suvasinghe ānilanta… pitalaba ṭopolā ānilā bṛṣaketuǀ kamāva kahāva arpilanta tāna hetu ǀhavisiṃhe …. gāyana bāyana yata tāhāṅka dilanta ǀǀ” “māṣava ṭopolā nile vāmanāvyaṇa ǀ Tānka dilā satrasabhā kavi niyojana ǀǀ …. Telī sakalava adhikava pātilanta ǀǀ” “asthiva ṭopolā āni dīpasiṃha dilā ǀ Hastī ghoḍā guvu paśu pakṣī tāṇka dilā ǀǀ “kapāsaka ānilanta meghanāvāyaṇa ǀ tāṇka dilā dhobā tatī yata jolāgaṇa ǀǀ” (Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. pp. 48 - 49. v. 255-263).

           In order to keep an alert vision on matters related to the development and progress of the agricultural system of his kingdom, he also kept everything like the livelihood and trade of his kingdom as well as the maintenance of temples and other religious institutions under his surveillance. Biswasingha donated the village for the livelihood of all the sons except them who were holding the post of prince and ruler. The village will have one hundred and twenty families. These villages will merge to form a separate district called komwarbhog (An Account of Assam. p. 193).

            Biswasingh instructed all his children to serve the poor beggars and saintly monk (History of Cooch Behar. p. 31). Thus, King Biswasingh gradually started a new day in his system of governance and introduced foresight by disciplining the system of governance and at the same time encouraged the development and expansion of industry, trade, livelihood, agriculture etc.

              Such a system of governance introduced by Biswasingh points to some of his specific qualities. He showed considerable prudence and foresight by appointing his brother Siswasingha as Yuvraj and as a result of his appointment to the post of Yuvraj, Siswa singha took the place next to the king in terms of prestige and power. For that reason, Siswasingha will not only be satisfied, but also the king will get full cooperation from him to run the affairs of the kingdom. The king also showed considerable foresight in the creation of his cabinets and make it effective. These 12 functionaries were the heads of their families and they provided all possible assistance to King Biswasingha to establish his authority over the kingdom of Cooch Behar. One of the attractions of his kingdom was that despite his acceptance of Hinduism, he did not appoint any ministers among the Brahmins, but appointed Brahmins as priests, whose work was entirely religious. Thus, Biswasinha's administrative system was governed mainly by the tribes so that Biswasingha received full help and cooperation from the royal staff to maintain or ensure the unity of his kingdom and his sovereignty over the kingdom. 

                            ------------------  

Name of the Inscriptions referred in the above text:- 

5.Name of the Inscription: Pashchimbhag copperplate of Śrīcandra 

Date: 5th. Regnal Year = c. early 10th century.

Find-spot: Pashchimbhag, PS- Rajnagar, Subdivision - Moulavibazar, District- Sylhet, East Pakistan.

Script: Northern Nagari.

Language: Sanskrit

Types of the Inscription: land grant inscription.

6. Name of the Inscription: Bangaon (Saharsa) copperplate of Vigrahapāla III 

Date: 17th Regnal Year = mid-11th century. 

Find-spot: Bangaon, P.O. Bariahi, Sub district - Saharsa, District - Bhagalpur, Bihar.

Script: Gauḍiya script.

Language: Sanskrit.

Types of the Inscription: land grant inscription.

7.Name of the Inscription: Belava (Narshingdi) copperplate of Bhojavarmmā .

Date: 5th Regnal Year = c. mid-12th century.

Find-spot: Belava, PS - Rupganj, Subdivision - Narayangunj, District - Dacca, Bangladesh.

Script: Northern nagari.

Language: Sanskrit

Types of the Inscription: Land grant inscription.

8.Name of the Inscription: Mehar copperplate of Dāmodaradeva. 

Date: Śaka 115) 6 = 1234 CE.

Find-spot: Mehar, District Comilla. Bangladesh.

Script: Gauḍiya script. 

Language: Sanskrit.

Types of the Inscription: Land grant inscription.

List of abbreviation :-

Beng. = Bengali

BS. = Bengali San

c. = circa

CBI = Corpus of Bengal Inscriptions.

CE. = Common Era

CP.= Copper Plate

Ed./ed. = Editor / edited

edn. = edition

Eds / eds. = editors 

Eng. = English

MLBD. = Motilal Banarasidass

p. = pages

pp. = pages

Rpt. = Reprint

trans. = translation 

v.= Verse

References: -

Boruah, Nirode. Early Assam. Guwahati: Spectrum Publication, 2007.

Choudhury, Harendranarayan. Rajya Cooch Beharer Rajkahini (2nd Part). (Beng. trans) Nripendranath Pal. Calcutta (now Kolkata): Anima Prakashani, 2014. (1st edn. 1421 BS [=2015 C.E.]).

Darraṅga Rāj Vaṃśvalī. (Ed.) Biswanarayan Shastri & Bhaba Prasad Chaliha. Guwahat: Lawyer’s Book Stall, 2013 (2nd edn.). (1st edn. 2002).

Gopal, Lalanji. The Economic Life Of Northern India: c. A.D. 700-1200.  Delhi: MLBD, 2013. (Reissued of 1st edn. 1965).

Gupta, Kamalakanta (ed. with trans. and notes).  Copper Plate Of Sylhet: 7th – 11th Century A.D. East Pakistan (now Bangladesh): Lipika Enterprises Ltd, 1967.

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