- THE KING
King occupied the prominent
place in the administration. The kingship was hereditary. But in some cases
younger sons were nominated. The king possessed legislative, executive and
judicial powers. Even though the king
enjoyed great powers, he never behaved like a despot. The king is the law
abiding monarch. Law was above the king and not king above the law. He was
assisted by a council of ministers and Shaba or assembly. The most important
duty of the king was the protection of life and property from internal treads
and external dangers. The king looked after the general welfare of the people
like trade, industry, education etc. The cultural duties of king were to patronize
and promote fine arts.
2.
THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS AND ASSEMBLY
The council of ministers were known as Mantri Mandalam. The chief minister was called as Mantri Mukya. Prohita occupied a very important place in the council. The amatyas or mantris who led the various department. The office of amatyas were generally hereditary. The Shaba acted as a representative body
3. REVENUE ADMINISTRSTION
The main source of income was land tax. The share of the state was fixed at one sixth of the gross produce. It can be payable either by cash or kind. The other revenue collected from guilds of merchants and artisans, income from forest, meadows, salt mines and mint. The main item of public expenditure were the amount spend on defense maintenance of royal house pay for officials , public works , relief works , construction of temples
4.JUSTICE
The king was the foundation of justice. He was the highest court to appeal. Apart from the king’s court there were other courts that is civil court, criminal court to decide cases, punishments were not severe
5.ARMY
The Guptas followed the Mauryan system of army administration. The army consisted of four divisions namely Infantry, Cavalry, Elephants and Chariots. The gupta rulers also possessed a navy. There was a war office under the direct management of the rulers. And also existed a well-organized war council.
6. PROVINCIAL, DISTRICT AND VILLAGE ADMINISTRATION
For administrative convenience the empire or desa was divided into a number of provinces called Bhukis. The provinces were sub divided into districts called vishayas or mandalas. The lowest administrative unit was Grama. Vishayapathi was the in charge of vishayas. The uparika and vishayapathi were appointed by a band of officers to carry on day to day administration
7. CITY ADMINISTRATION
The administration of city was carried out by a council called Parisad. Important cities were Pataliputra, Ujjain, Ayodhya, Girinagara, Dasapura etc. The head of the city was called Purapola or Nagara Rkshaka
8. CONCLUSION
The Gupta system of administration where well organized, benevolent, penal code and well efficient army. The prominent position was given to council of ministers. City administration on advanced lines. Above all welfare oriented administration
The 200 years of Gupta rule form one of the most important period in the history of India. This period is marked as the Golden age of Ancient India History. It is often compared with the Periclean age of Greek history, the Agustus age of Roman history and the Elizabethen age of English history
