Hoysala administration

The Hoysala Empire (Kannada: ಹೊಯ್ಸಳ ಸಾಮ್ರಾಜ್ಯ) was a notable South Indian empire that ruled most of the modern day state of Karnataka between the 10th to the 14th centuries. The capital of the empire was initially based at Belur, and later transferred to Halebidu. Hoysala administration was influenced by the Western Ganga Dynasty whom the Hoysalas replaced in present day South Karnataka and their early overlords, the Western Chalukyas.

Administration

The Hoysala administrative machinery had many similarities with that of the Western Chalukya and Western Ganga Dynasties in matters of cabinet and command, local governing bodies and division of territory into provinces and districts."A Concise history of Karnataka", pp 130-31 Dr. S.U. Kamath.] Some historians state that in the highly centralised Hoysala empire the king sought the advice of five major ministers ("Pancha Pradhanas") while others claim a higher number.Prof William Coelho and Dr. Derrett hold opposing views, "A Concise History of Karnataka", pp 130-132, Dr. S.U. Kamath] As the empire grew in the 13th century, the number of ministers also grew with each having limited authority. Inscriptions mention many names with responsibilities tied to such areas as foreign affairs ("Sandhivigrahi"), treasurer ("Mahabhandari" or "Hiranyabhandari"), personal secretary ("Paramavishvasi"), chief master of robes ("Mahapasayita"), justice ("Dharmadhikari"), central register ("Kaditha"), and head of the State Secretariat ("Srikaranadhikari"). Some ministers also oversaw clusters of departments ("Sarvadhikari"). Army commanders were called "Dandanayaka" (or "Senadhipati").

The kingdom was divided into provinces ("Nadu" and "Vishayas").Dr. Barrett opined that it is not clear which among "Vishayas" and "Nadu" was bigger in area and a "Nadu" was under the supervision of the commander ("Dandanayaka"), "A Concise History of Karnataka", pp 130-31 Dr. S.U. Kamath.] Further division of land was into "Kampanas" and "Deshas". Under the caretaker commander were minister ("Mahapradhana"), treasurer ("Bhandari"), clerk ("Senabove") and junior officers ("Heggades"). Feudatory families such as Alupas, Santharas, Chengalvas, Kongalvas, Sindas were allowed to continue to govern their respective territories. The Hoysalas minted gold coins with Kannada and Devanagari legends. King Vishnuvardhana's coins had the legends "victor at Nolambavadi" ("Nolambavadigonda"), "victor at Talakad" ("Talakadugonda"), "victor of the hills" ("Malaparolgonda")."A Concise History of Karnataka", pp 125, Dr. S.U. Kamath, cite web|title=Indian coins-Dynasties of South-Hoysalas|url=http://prabhu.50g.com/southind/hoysala/south_hoysalacat.html |author=Govindaraya Prabhu, S|publisher=Prabhu's Web Page On Indian Coinage, November 1, 2001|work=|accessdate=2006-11-17. Coins with Kannada legends have been discovered from the rule of the Hoysalas, according to Dr. S.U. Kamath, "A Concise History of Karnataka", pp 12.] Their gold coin was called "Honnu" or "Gadyana" and weighed 62 grains of gold. "Pana" or "Hana" was 1/10th of the "Honnu". "Haga" was ¼th of the "Pana". "Visa" was ¼th of "Haga". There were coins called "Bele" and "Kani" as well. It must be noted that some of these terms "Hana", "Bele" are still used in Kannada language and mean "money" and "cost" respectively.

The "Garudas" were the elite bodyguards of kings and queens. They were known as "lenkas" (heroes) or "jolavalis" (indebted to the king for food) and "velavalis" (those who stood by the king at all times). They served the king the way the mythical eagle Garuda served Lord Vishnu and committed suicide upon the demise of their master.Shadow like, they moved closely with the king, lived near him and disappeared upon the death of their master, cite web|title=Hoysala Heritage|url=http://www.flonnet.com/fl2008/stories/20030425000206700.htm |author=Professor S. Settar|publisher=Frontline, From the publishers of the Hindu|work=Frontline, Volume 20 - Issue 08, April 12 - 25, 2003|accessdate=2006-11-17] Hero stones ("virgal") erected in memory of such heroes are called Garuda pillars. The Garuda pillar at the Hoysaleswara temple in Halebidu depicts heroes brandishing knives and others cutting their own heads. Kuvara Lakshma, a minister and bodyguard of king Veera Ballala II took his own life and that of his wife and other bodyguards upon the death of his master. The details of his loyalty are etched on this inscription ("Shasana").

Notes

References

* Dr. Suryanath U. Kamath (2001). A Concise History of Karnataka from pre-historic times to the present, Jupiter books, MCC, Bangalore (Reprinted 2002), OCLC: 7796041.
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