Essay on the Functions of Samantas written by Banabhatta

Banabhatta is the first writer, who mention the functions of the “Samantas” to their master or Lord. It is obvious from his “Harshacharita” that the first function of the “Samantas” to pay the yearly tributes to the emperor. Further, we learn from it that Harshavardhana had made his “Mahasamantas” his tributaries of “Karad”.

“Samanta” administered his areas and for which he had to pay the annual taxes. Emperor realised that annual taxes from the “Samanta” not from the ‘subjects or inhabitants. But Banabhatta has not made it clear whether the vassals were free to increase the taxes or to impose fresh ones. They were certainly held responsible for royal taxes in their areas.

The second function of the “Samantas” is to pay homage to the emperor in person according the Banabhatta. He tells us that the defeated “Mahasamantas” greeted the conqueror by removing their crowns and head dresses or “Selhara” and “mauli”.

It appear that “mahasamantas were subjected to various humiliation in the court of Harshavardhana such as some served as bearers of fans, others prayed for life by tying a sword to their neck and other were always eager to salute the emperor.

Banabhatta in his “Kadambari” indicates four types of saluting the king or “Pranam-Agamana”, by the defeated chiefs such as salute by bowing the head, and touching the feet of the emperor, bowing head and taking the dust from the feet of the emperor and fourth placing the head on earth near the feet of emperor.

Further Banabhatta describes the three modes of service undertaken by the defeated kings. They held “Cowries” in the court of Harshavardhana, served as door-keeper in the court and also served as recites of auspicious words uttering “Jaya” or success.

According to Banabhatta the third duty or function of defeated “Samanta” is to train and equip their minor princes or sons to the conqueror.

These were to be probably trained in the royal and imperial traditions so that they might grow loyal to their overlord. The defeated “mahasamantas” were required to serve the conqueror in various ways as the result of their defeat.

Generally, one of the most important functions of the “Samanta was to render military assistance to their overlord. Banabhatta’s description of the (march of) campaign of Harshavardhana in “Harshacharita” reveals that Harshavardhana army was made up of the troops supplied by the “rajas” and “Samantas” and their number was so large that Harshavardhana was surprised at the sight of his army.

In other words this narration shows the Harshavardhana had feudal militia which was collected only in the. times of war. This is further supported by “Pulakesin’s Aihole Inscriptions ” which describes Harshavardhana was equipped with the troops supplied by his vassals.

However, Banabhatta has not written that whether the “Samantas” had the obligation to perform any administrative or judicial functions in peace time. In the beginning who were granted or given land came gradually to acquire administrative and judicial immunity. They were entitled to judge the people inhabiting their lands in connection with the “ten offences” recognised by the courts of the time; often state official were prohibited from entering the territory of such estates.

The state usually reserved for itself the right to administer justice only in cases of major offences, subject to capital punishment. But from the Banabhatta’s “Harshacharita”, we learn that on the advice of the “Pradhana samantas”, Rajyavardhana took food-when he was afflicted with grief on the murder of his brother-in-law Grahavarmana and imprisonment of his sister Rajyasri.

So, his advise could not be disregarded in personal matters, it could be less so in administrative affairs where help and co-operation were badly required. In this way it seems that “Samantas” living in the court of overlord, had to carry out certain social obligations as well.

Banabhatta in the “Kadambari” described that they (“Samantas”) took part in various recreation for examples gambling dice playing, playing on flute, drawing portraits of the king, solving puzzles etc. Similarly in “Harshacharita” he indicated that wives of “Samantas” also had to attend the court on festive occasions.

Thus, the Vassals were linked with the overlord not only financially, militarily, administratively but also judicially and socially.