Samanta

Last updated

Samanta was a title and position used in the history of the Indian subcontinent between 4th and 12th century [1] [2] to denote a vassal, feudal lord or tributary chief. The leader of 100 village also popularly known as jagirdar. The term roughly translates to neighbor. [3] The institution is considered to be closely associated with the origin and growth of feudalism in India and Medieval India.

Contents

The institution is known to have existed prior to the Gupta period, though details on them are vague. A Pallava inscription dating to the time of Santivarman (AD 455–470) uses the term Samanta-Chudamanayah (best feudatories). [4] The Samanta in South India was used to mean a vassal to an emperor. In North India, the earliest use of the term in a similar sense was in Bengal in the Barabar Hill Cave Inscription of the Maukhari Chief, Anantavarman (dating to the 6th century AD) in which his father is described as the Samanta-Chudamanih (best among feudatories) of the imperial Guptas. [4] [5]

Early development

The term 'Samanta' originally meant a 'neighbour' and in the Mauryan period, the term referred to the independent ruler of an adjoining territory as is evident from its use in the Arthashastra and Ashokan edicts. The 'border-lords' (pratyan-tanripati) mentioned by Samudragupta in his Prayagraj prashasti were such Samantas in the original use of the term. [6]

However, the term underwent a change, and came to mean a 'vassal' by the end of the Gupta period and in the post-Gupta period. In fact, the institution of the Samanta was the main innovation that distinguished the post-Gupta period from the periods of ancient India. By the end of the Gupta period and by the 6th century the term Samanta came to be universally accepted as the Prince of a subjugated but reinstated tributary region. [6]

Early kingdoms of Medieval India would surround themselves with a "Samanta-Chakra", that is, a 'circle of tributary chiefs'. [7] By the time of King Harshavardhana, the institution of the Samanta had become well-developed and the Samantas came to be considered powerful figures. [1] In order to integrate them into the hierarchy of the realm they were often given high positions in the court. [8] One such example is the king of Vallabhi who was defeated by King Harsha and became a Maha-Samanta. This Vallabhi king then rose under Emperor Harsha to the position of a Maha-Pratihara (guardian of the royal gateway or the royal door-keeper) and went on to become a Maha-Danda-Nayaka (Royal Field Marshal). [8] In effect, the institution of the Samanta brought rulers of fragmented or tribalistic, small independent regions under subjugation to serve the king or emperor as vassals.

The office of the Samanta represented a semantic change in state formation from an independent neighbour to a tributary chief and finally to a high ranking court official. Samanta title are used as a surname mainly among Bengali Hindu Mahishya and also among some Aguri.

Types of Samanta

Banabhatta describes several types of Samantas in his work, Harsha Charita. Bana's Harshacharitra is the only work from which we know of various categories of Samantas. [1] Bana mentions a large number of conquered enemy Maha-Samantas in the royal camp who were probably waiting to be assigned their new duties. [9]

Some types of Samantas mentioned by Banabhatta are:

Banabhatta uses the term Anuraktamahasamanta (Anurakta-Mahasamanta) only once and it possibly meant those especially attached to their overlord. [10]

Obligations of the Samanta

From the Harshacharitra, we understand that the Samanta had five duties. They are: [10]

In the nature of rendering military aid, paying tributes and performing administrative and judicial functions, the office of the Samanta is comparable to the office of the Nayaka which was followed by the Vijayanagar Empire.

The Samanta system was followed by several kingdoms across north and south India.

In South India

Some examples of Samantas in South India are:

In North India

In East India

In Nepal

In the Nepali realm of the Maharaja of Licchavi, samantas held feudal domains and played a major part at court. Samantas played a role in other Nepali kingdoms as well.

Dr Regmi writes that in Nepal the Samanatas adopted high sounding titles such as Maharaja and Maharajadhiraja at a time when they were just Samantas (vassals). An example is an inscription in which a Samanta of Changu area, named Amsu-Varma, adopted the title of Maharajadhiraja. They were not seen giving up the title of Samanta even after adopting a higher sounding title. One such example is Mahasamanta Maharaja Sri Karmalilah. [24]

Regmi compares this situation with the Indian side, where the title of Maharaja was used by both the king as well as his feudatories, such as the feudatory of Sasnaka in Midnapore, Sri Samanta Maharaja Samadatta, who ruled Dandabhukti of Utkala. [24]

The position of a Samanta was also acquired by marrying into the ruling family. An example is Baliraja of Chaughan Rajasthanakot of Jumla who was made a Samanta Raja of the state after he married the daughter of Medinivarma who was the heiress of Semja. After marriage, Baliraja was virtually the head of all feudatory chiefs of the kingdom. This was elucidated in a copper-plate inscription of 1404 AD. [25]

Samanta Raju

This compound Indian title refers to a territorial vassal or governor (a person who provides military support and governs a territory) under a king or monarch in exchange for certain guarantees) in South India. This should not be confused with the titles given in the colonial British India.

See also

Sources and references

  1. 1 2 3 The Journal of the Bihar Research Society, Volumes 69–70, p.77
  2. ↑ "Samanta – Banglapedia". en.banglapedia.org. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
  3. ↑ Kulke, Hermann; Rothermund, Dietmar (2016). A History of India.
  4. 1 2 Indian Hist (Opt), by Reddy, p.A-415
  5. ↑ Origin and growth of feudalism in early India: from the Mauryas to AD 650, by Gian Chand Chauhan, p.53
  6. 1 2 Indian Hist (Opt), by Reddy, p.A-94
  7. ↑ Southeast Asia in the 9th to 14th centuries, David G. Marr and Anthony Crothers Milner (Eds), p.10
  8. 1 2 Indian Hist (Opt), by Reddy, p.A-95
  9. ↑ The Panjab past and present, Volume 23, Dept. of Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University, p.142
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 General Studies History for UPSC, By Reddy, p.A-95
  11. 1 2 Origin and growth of feudalism in early India: from the Mauryas to AD 650, by GC Chauhan, p.54
  12. ↑ The half-yearly journal of the Mysore University, Volume 3, p.106
  13. ↑ Karnataka through the ages: from prehistoric times to the day of the independence of India, Department of Literary and Cultural Development, Govt. of Mysore, 1968, p.131
  14. ↑ Kakatiya Nayaks: their contribution to Dakshinapath's independence, 1300-1370 A.D, by NG Ranga, p.15
  15. ↑ Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Volume 64, p.180
  16. ↑ Religions in coastal Karnataka, 1500-1763, by KGV Madhava, p.73-85
  17. 1 2 Mālwa in post-Maurya period: a critical study with special emphasis on numismatic evidences, by Manika Chakrabarti, p.41
  18. ↑ The Dynasty Arts of the Kushans, University of California Press, p.130
  19. ↑ "Europa Barbarorum".
  20. ↑ Thapar, Romila (February 2004). Early India: From the Origins to AD 1300. University of California Press. ISBN   978-0-520-24225-8.
  21. ↑ The history and culture of the Pālas of Bengal and Bihar, cir. 750 A.D.-cir. 1200 AD, by Jhunu Bagchi, p. 75
  22. ↑ Legend, history, and culture of India: based on archaeology, art, and literature, by Kailash Chandra Dash, p. 11
  23. ↑ Census of India, 1991: West Bengal, Volume 3, p. 14
  24. 1 2 Inscriptions of ancient Nepal, Volume 1, by D. R. Regmi, p.94
  25. ↑ Making of modern Nepal: a study of history, art, and culture of the principalities of western Nepal, by Ram NIwas Pandey, p.190

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Middle kingdoms of India</span> Political entities in the Indian subcontinent from 3rd century BCE - 13th century CE

The middle kingdoms of India were the political entities in the Indian subcontinent from 230 BCE to 1206 CE. The period begins after the decline of the Maurya Empire and the corresponding rise of the Satavahana dynasty, starting with Simuka, from 230 BCE. The "middle" period lasted for almost 1436 years and ended in 1206 CE, with the rise of the Delhi Sultanate, founded in 1206, and the end of the Later Cholas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kakatiya dynasty</span> 12th–14th century Indian dynasty

The Kakatiya dynasty was a Telugu dynasty that ruled most of eastern Deccan region in present-day India between 12th and 14th centuries. Their territory comprised much of the present day Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and parts of eastern Karnataka, northern Tamil Nadu, and southern Odisha. Their capital was Orugallu, now known as Warangal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shashanka</span> Founder of Gauda Kingdom of Bengal

Shashanka was the first independent king of a unified polity in the Bengal region, called the Gauda Kingdom. He reigned in the 7th century, some historians place his rule between c. 600 and 636/7 CE, whereas other sources place his reign between 590 and 625 CE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rudrama Devi</span> Queen-Regnant of the Kakatiya Kingdom from 1262 to 1289

Rudrama Devi also known by her regnal name Rudra-deva Maharaja, was a Kakatiya Queen who ruled substantial parts of present-day Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in southern India. She was among the few and the most successful female rulers of Indian history.

Pulakeshi II popularly known as Immaḍi Pulakeśi, was the greatest Chalukyan Emperor who reigned from Vatapi. During his reign, the Chalukya Empire expanded to cover most of the Deccan region in peninsular India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tailapa II</span> Ahavamalla

Tailapa II, also known as Taila II and by his title Ahavamalla, was the founder of the Western Chalukya Empire in peninsular India. Tailapa claimed descent from the earlier imperial Chalukyas of Vatapi (Badami), and initially ruled as a Rashtrakuta vassal from the Tardavadi-1000 province in the present-day Vijayapura district of Karnataka. When the Rashtrakuta power declined following an invasion by the Paramara king Siyaka, Tailapa overthrew the Rashtrakuta emperor Karka II, and established a new dynasty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bijjala II</span> Samrat

Bijjala II Kannada: ಇಮ್ಮಡಿ ಬಿಜ್ಜಳ was the Mahamandaleshwara of the Kalyani Chalukyas. He was the most famous of the southern Kalachuri kings who ruled initially as a vassal of Chalukya Vikramaditya VI. He ruled as the Mahamandalesvara over Karhada-4000 and Tardavadi-1000 provinces, designations given to territories within the larger Western Chalukya kingdom.

Velanati Chodas or Velanati Durjayas were a dynasty who ruled over parts of the Andhra Pradesh in the 12th century. They were Vassals of Later Cholas and Western Chalukyas and ruled over the region of Kammanadu in modern Guntur district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Andhra Pradesh</span>

The recorded history of Andhra Pradesh, one of the 28 states of 21st-century India, begins in the Vedic period. It is mentioned in Sanskrit epics such as the Aitareya Brahmana. Its sixth-century BCE incarnation Assaka lay between the Godavari and Krishna Rivers, one of sixteen mahajanapadas. The Satavahanas succeeded them, built Amaravati, and reached a zenith under Gautamiputra Satakarni.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Padmakshi Temple</span> Hindu temple dedicated to Lakshmi

Padmakshi Temple is one of the oldest temples in the Hanamakonda area of Telangana, India. It is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Padmakshi (Lakshmi), and also features Jain imagery.

Jaitugi, also known as Jaitrapala, was a ruler of the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty of Deccan region in India.

Bhillama II was a ruler of the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty of Deccan region in India. He was a vassal of the Kalyani Chalukya ruler Tailapa II, and played an important role in Tailapa's victory against the Paramara king Munja.

Arikesari II was a ruler of the Vemulavada Chalukya dynasty of present-day Telangana, India. A Rashtrakuta vassal, he played an important role in dethroning the Rashtrakuta emperor Govinda IV and enthroning Amoghavarsha III as the new emperor. He was the patron of Pampa, one of the earliest notable Kannada-language poets.

Prola II was a Kakatiya chief who ruled the area around Anumakomda as a vassal of the Kalyani Chalukyas. He was the father of Rudra-deva, the first sovereign ruler of the Kakatiya family.

Beta I, also known as Garudanka Beta or Garuda Beta, was a member of the Kakatiya dynasty of southern India. His father Gunda IV was a Rashtrakuta vassal, and was killed in a conflict with the Kalyani Chalukyas who usurped the power from the Rashtrakutas. Beta accepted the suzerainty of the Kalyani Chalukyas, participated in their war against the Cholas, and obtained Anamkonda as fief.

Prola I was a member of the Kakatiya dynasty of southern India. As a Kalyani Chalukya vassal, he participated in prince Vikramaditya VI's campaigns, and consolidated the Kakatiya control over the area around Anumakonda by subjugating local chiefs. He obtained the Anumakonda vishaya and its neighbouring lands as a hereditary fief from the Chalukya king.

Beta II alias Tribhuvana-malla was a member of the Kakatiya dynasty of southern India. As a Kalyani Chalukya vassal, he obtained control of the Sabbi-1000 province centred around Vemulavada. He commissioned a Shaivite shrine, and also donated land for a Jaina temple.

Durga-raja was a member of the Kakatiya dynasty of southern India. He is attested by only one record - the 1098 CE Kazipet dargah inscription, which was issued during the reign of his father Beta II. According to one theory, he probably ruled for a short period and rebelled against his Kalyani Chalukya overlord, before being subjugated by his brother Prola II who remained loyal to the Chalukyas.

Rudra-deva was a Kakatiya king, who ruled parts of the present-day Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in southern India. He was the first sovereign ruler of his dynasty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ganapati (Kakatiya dynasty)</span> Sakala-desha-pratishthapanacharya

Ganapati-deva was the longest reigning monarch of the Kakatiya dynasty of southern India. He brought most of the Telugu-speaking region in present-day Andhra Pradesh and Telangana under the Kakatiya influence by war or diplomacy.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.