Question

Which among the following statements regarding the Gupta dynasty is/are correct?
1) The Kumaramatyas were the most important officers and they were appointed directly by the king in the home provinces.
2) The village headmen lost importance and land transactions began to be effected without their consent.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

• A. Only 1
• B. Only 2
• C. Both 1 and 2
• D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Only 1

The Kumaramatyas were the high officers and the personal staff of the emperor and were appointed by the king in the home provinces and possibly paid in cash. Recruitment was not confined to the upper varnas only and several offices came to be com­bined in the hands of the same person, and posts became hereditary. The Gramapati or Gramadhyaksha was the village head­man. The Gupta inscriptions from north Bengal show that there were other units higher than the villages such as the Rural Board – Asthakuladhikarana which comprised of the village elders – Mahattaras and also included the village headman – Gramika and the householders Kutumbins.

With the absence of any close supervision of the state, village affairs were now managed by the leading local elements. No land transactions could be affected without their consent. The village disputes were also settled by these bodies with the help of Grama-vriddhas or Mahattaras (village elders).