Systems of Administration during the Early Period (Introduction)

[Full title: Systems of Administration during the Early and Early Medieval Period]

The administrative systems of the rulers of Northern India form a landmark in the history of Indian polity. The royal dynasties of the Northern region controlled the destinies of the people for a period of eight centuries (4^th to 12^th century). They established a uniform, integrated, strong, and stable administration in Northern India. The robust, sturdy, and durable administration, which took a definite shape for the first time during the Gupta period, widened the areas for the growth of more delicate aspects of culture in North India.

The sources of information about administrative setup during the period under study are based mainly on the epigraphic pieces of evidence of the royal dynasties of Northern India. The epigraphic records of contemporary ruling families in other parts of India and general works on polity like the Manusmṛti enable us to draw an elaborate picture and comparative study of the administrative system at that time. The Governmental organizations and political setups followed by the Guptas in the 4th and 5th century CE had greatly influenced the administration system of the dynasties who ruled after the Guptas, of course, followed the administrative style of the earlier ones and made some changes and alterations to suit the demands of the situation in northern India.

The Gupta rulers were architects of a sound system of administration in Northern India. In setting up their administrative superstructure, they might not have deviated from the original method of traditional Indian administration. The others Maitraka, Kaṭaccuri, Pāṇḍuvaṃśīns, Puṣyabhūti, Early Gurjara, Rāṣṭrakūṭas of Northern India, Śailodbhava, Cālukya, Guhilās, Saindhavas, Pratihāras, Paramāras, Bhauma-kara, and the Somavaṃsi rulers accepted what was the best in ancient Indian political system. They added Northern native color to it which catered to the needs of the people of Northern India in solving their own administrative and other problems.

For the convenience of administration, they divided their provinces into several territorial units that bore different names and connoted different meanings from time to time. It is not so easy to interpret the denotation and connotation of all the units found in the inscriptions of the period under discussion. However, the various terms regarding the territorial divisions and others related to the donee, donor, people, and lands and among others that have used frequently in those inscriptions may be taken into consideration and interpreted as faithfully as possible.