Three Ancient Indian Official Titles Explained
By U. N. Ghoshal
Summary
U. N. Ghoshal investigates three obscure administrative titles found in eastern Indian inscriptions dating from the Pala dynasty and their contemporaries: Khadapradaksha, Khola and Mohatakaṭaka. Using epigraphic evidence from the Rāṇgia plate, the Nalanda and Nālanda grants of Devapala and the Pandulohī grant, he analyses their linguistic roots and contextual usage. Ghoshal observes that these terms occur alongside more familiar designations such as caudrahashaṭra (police officer), dānḍapāśika (tax collector) and prantapāla (frontier guard). He hypothesises that Khadapradaksha refers to a warden responsible for frontier regions; Khola denotes a storehouse officer in charge of grain or supplies; and Mohatakaṭaka designates an officer overseeing state heads or large forts. Comparisons with contemporary inscriptions from Bengal and Orissa show that these titles belong to a cluster of designations for military and police officers. The analysis underscores the complexity of Pala administrative machinery and enhances our understanding of regional governance.
Conclusion
By elucidating obscure titles, Ghoshal contributes to the reconstruction of early medieval administrative systems. His study shows that titles such as Khadapradaksha, Khola and Mohatakaṭaka were specialised offices linked to frontier security, stores management and state governance. Recognising these roles enriches our comprehension of how Pala rulers maintained order across vast territories and adapted Sanskritised titles to practical administrative functions.