Even though the Satavahana administrative system was modelled after that of Mauryan, it was much simpler in form. Inscriptions refer to ministers who were incharge of various functions.
The Ashokan system of dividing the kingdom into aharas continued under the Satavahanas. We get the names of at least five aharas in the inscriptions: Govardhana-ahara (Nasik), Soparaka-ahara (West coast), Mamala-ahara (Pune and Satara), Satavahanihara (Bellary) and Kapurachara-ahara (Gujarat).
These aharas were also called rastras. Eventhough the mahamatra is mentioned, it was not important. On the other hand, the official called amatya is mentioned for the first time in Satavahana inscriptions. These amatyas functioned as governors, treasurers and executors of land grants. The rajukas functioned as judges and magistrates.
Similarly, the office of pratihara is mentioned for the first time in the Satavahana inscription. Other officials are bhoja, mahabhoja (wife mahabhoji), maharathi (they had marriage relations with the Satavahanas), mahasenapati, gamika (village official), mahatakakas (great chamberlain), maha- aryakas (religious functionary), bhandagarikas (store-keeper), heranikas (treasurer), nibamdhakaras (registrars of documents), dutakas, pattika-palakas (keepers of land charters), navakarmikas, uparaksitas (overseers) etc. The towns were administered by a nigama through nigamasabha.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Most of these Satavahana officials were paid in cash. Nanaghat cave inscription gives a long list of various figures of karsapanas. The royal share of the produce is represented by such terms as deya- meya, bhoga and karukara.