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Samanta

2026-09-01T13:56:30Z

2405:204:140E:991A:0:0:2561:40A4: Sudhaar kiya gaya hai

{{About|the Indian title|the feminine given name|Samantha}}
'''Samanta''' was a title and position used by the army people of kings in the [[history of the Indian subcontinent]]. India dating to the 6th century.<ref name="journal 77">The Journal of the Bihar Research Society, Volumes 69-70, p.77</ref> The institution is considered to and is closely associated with the origin and growth of [[feudalism in India]].

However, the institution is known to have existed prior to the [[Gupta Empire|Gupta]] period, though details on them are vague. A [[Pallava]] inscription dating to the time of Santivarman (AD 455 - 470) uses the term ''Samanta-Chudamanayah'' (best feudatories).<ref name="ihist 415">Indian Hist (Opt), by Reddy, p.A-415</ref> The Samanta in South India was used to mean a vassal to an emperor. In North India, the earliest use of the term in a similar sense was in Bengal in the Barabar Hill Cave Inscription of the Maukhari Chief, Anantavarman (dating to the 6th century AD) in which his father is described as the ''Samanta-Chudamanih'' (best among feudatories) of the imperial Guptas.<ref name="ihist 415"/><ref>Origin and growth of feudalism in early India: from the Mauryas to AD 650, by Gian Chand Chauhan, p.53</ref>

==Early development==
The term 'Samanta' originally meant a 'neighbour' and in the Mauryan period, the term referred to the independent ruler of an adjoining territory as is evident from its use in the Arthashastra and Ashokan edicts. The 'border-kings' (''pratyan-tanripati'') mentioned by [[Samudragupta]] in his Allahabad ''prashasti'' were such Samantas in the original use of the term.<ref name="ihist 94">Indian Hist (Opt), by Reddy, p.A-94</ref>

However, the term underwent a change, and came to mean a 'vassal' by the end of the Gupta period and in the post-[[Gupta Empire|Gupta]] period. In fact, the institution of the Samanta was the main innovation that distinguished the post-Gupta period from the periods of ancient India. By the end of the Gupta period and by the 6th century the term Samanta came to be universally accepted as the Prince of a subjugated but reinstated tributary region.<ref name="ihist 94"/>

Early kingdoms of Medieval India would surround themselves with a "Samanta-Chakra", that is, a 'circle of tributary chiefs'.<ref>Southeast Asia in the 9th to 14th centuries, David G. Marr and Anthony Crothers Milner (Eds), p.10</ref> By the time of King [[Harsha]]vardhana, the institution of the Samanta had become well-developed and the Samantas came to be considered powerful figures.<ref name="journal 77"/> In order to integrate them into the hierarchy of the realm they were often given high positions in the court.<ref name="hist 95">Indian Hist (Opt), by Reddy, p.A-95</ref> One such example is the king of [[Vallabhi]] who was defeated by King Harsha and became a Maha-Samanta. This Vallabhi king then rose under Emperor Harsha to the position of a Maha-Pratihara (guardian of the royal gateway or the royal door-keeper) and went on to become a Maha-Danda-Nayaka (Royal Field Marshal).<ref name="hist 95"/> In effect, the institution of the Samanta brought rulers of fragmented or tribalistic, small independent regions under subjugation to serve the king or emperor as vassals.

The office of the Samanta represented a semantic change in state formation from an independent neighbour to a tributary chief and finally to a high ranking court official.

==Types of Samanta==
Banabhatta describes several types of Samantas in his work, ''Harsha Charita''. [[Banabhatta|Bana]]'s Harshacharitra is the only work from which we know of various categories of Samantas.<ref name="journal 77"/> Bana mentions a large number of conquered enemy Maha-Samantas in the royal camp who were probably waiting to be assigned their new duties.<ref>The Panjab past and present, Volume 23, Dept. of Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University, p.142</ref>

Some types of Samantas mentioned by Banabhatta are:

* Samanta: which signified the lowest and ordinary type of vassal.<ref name="genhist 95">General Studies History for UPSC, By Reddy, p.A-95</ref>
* Mahasamantha (Maha-Samanta): a step higher than a Samanta.<ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Shatrumahasamanta (Shatru-Maha-Samanta): a conquered enemy chief.<ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Aptasamanta (Apta-Samanta): those who willingly accepted vassalage and the emperor as their overlord.<ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Pradhanamahasamanta (Pradhana-Maha-Samanta): who were most trusted hands of the emperor and never disregarded their advice.<ref name="origin 54">Origin and growth of feudalism in early India: from the Mauryas to AD 650, by GC Chauhan, p.54</ref><ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Pratisamanta (Prati-Saamanta): who were opposed to the king and meant a hostile vassal.<ref name="origin 54"/><ref name="genhist 95"/> Though hostile, all Samantas had military obligations. If they did not fulfill their obligations, the king could seize their territory and appoint a new Samanta. Despite this, some Samantas would keep trying to throw off their allegiance to the king and assert their own independent rule.

Banabhatta uses the term Anuraktamahasamanta (Anurakta-Mahasamanta) only once and it possibly meant those especially attached to their overlord.<ref name="genhist 95"/>

==Obligations of the Samanta==
From the Harshacharitra, we understand that the Samanta had five duties. They are:<ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Paying yearly tributes to the emperor.
* Paying homage to the emperor in person.
* Defeated Samantas had to offer their sons and minor princes to the Emperor so that they are groomed in the imperial traditions and grow to be loyal to the emperor.
* Render military aid to the emperor.
* Perform administrative and judicial functions in times of peace.

In the nature of rendering military aid, paying tributes and performing administrative and judicial functions, the office of the Samanta is comparable to the office of the [[Nayak (title)#Nayankara System in South India|Nayaka]] which was followed by the [[Vijayanagar Empire]].

The Samanta system was followed by several kingdoms across north and south India.

==In South India==
Some examples of Samantas in South India are:
* In the [[Hoysala]] empire, samantas were feudal chiefs paying vassalitic homage to the [[Maharaja]] and served the king as heredity governors. Some examples or names of the Hoysala heredity governors are Samanta Chattaya ruling Huliyara, Samanta Goyideva ruling Magare and Samanta Bankeya ruling Senavagere. Some such as Samanta Gandaraditya ruled over a larger territory of Arakere, Kaligunda, Kunduru, Belugere, etc. put together.<ref>The half-yearly journal of the Mysore University, Volume 3, p.106</ref>
* In the [[Chalukya]] empire, the [[Bana Kingdom|Banas]] under Vikramaditya Bali Indra Banaraja, the son of Balikula Tilaka Banaraja accepted the overlordship of the Chalukyas and proclaimed themselves as "Taruna Vasantham" and "Samanta Kesari".<ref>Karnataka through the ages: from prehistoric times to the day of the independence of India, Department of Literary and Cultural Development, Govt. of Mysore, 1968, p.131</ref>
* In the [[Kakatiya]] dynasty some examples are of Gonka I who rose to become a viceroy and Beta I (AD 1000 - 1050). Beta I emerged from a status of the Samanta Vishti Vamsa, a feudatory family from among the Karma or [[Kamma (caste)|Kamma]] Buddhist peasants and went on to become a feudatory prince within the Chalukya empire. Beta's son, Prola I, rose to become a Mahamandalesvara under the Chalukya King Someshvara. Further, the son of Prola I named Beta II (aka, Betha Raju) and his grandson named [[Prola II]] assumed princely status in the Kakatiya dynasty.<ref>Kakatiya Nayaks: their contribution to Dakshinapath's independence, 1300-1370 A.D, by NG Ranga, p.15</ref>
* The office of the Samanta was also passed on as a matrilineal inheritance. An example is the Paduva Panamburu inscription of AD 1542 which refers to one Kinnika Samanta being succeeded by his [[Bunt (community)#Matrilineal inheritance|Aliya]] (elder sister's son), Dugganna Samant, a [[Jain]] Chieftain of [[Mulki, Karnataka|Mulki]].<ref>Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Volume 64, p.180</ref> The Chiefs of Mulki served as Samantas and patronized Jainism.<ref>Religions in coastal Karnataka, 1500-1763, by KGV Madhava, p.73-85</ref>

==In North India==
* The Samanta feudatories of Sagakula were called 'Sahi' and their overlord was called 'Sahanu Sahi' (King of Kings).<ref name="malwa 41">Mālwa in post-Maurya period: a critical study with special emphasis on numismatic evidences, by Manika Chakrabarti, p.41</ref> The location of Sagakula is unknown. The Jaina saint Kalaka describes in his "Kalakacarya Kathanaka", that a group of [[Saka]] kings called Sahi kings were induced to come to India from 'Sagakula'. After crossing the Indus, they captured Kathiawar and Ujjayini and installed their own Sahi as the "King of Kings" and began a dynasty.<ref>The Dynasty Arts of the Kushans, University of California Press, p.130</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.europabarbarorum.com/factions_saka_history.html|title=Europa Barbarorum}}</ref> The Sagakula were probably Saka-Kula Western Satraps who had been expelled from [[Sistan|Seistan]] by [[Mithridates II of Parthia|Mitradates-II]] of Parthia.<ref name="malwa 41"/>

==In East India==
* It is suggested that, Adisura king a Mahishya community, ruled over a small portion of northern Bengal and Bihar as a Samanta king during the Pala rule.<ref>The history and culture of the Pālas of Bengal and Bihar, cir. 750 A.D.-cir. 1200 AD, by Jhunu Bagchi, p.75</ref>
* A samanta king (sub-ordinate ruler) named Sarangadeva or Kesari of the [[Somavaṃśī dynasty|Somavamsi]] family is said to have probably ruled Sarang-Garh in Odisha.<ref>Legend, history, and culture of India: based on archaeology, art, and literature, by Kailash Chandra Dash, p.11</ref>
* [[Bardhaman|Bardhamman]] was ruled by a Samanta king, Ichai Ghosh or Iswani Ghosh of the Sadgop community, which his desdendents held as a zamindari.<ref>Census of India, 1991: West Bengal, Volume 3, p.14</ref>

==In Nepal==
In the [[Nepal]]i realm of the Maharaja of [[Licchavi (kingdom)|Licchavi]], samantas held feudal domains and played a major part at court. Samantas played a role in other Nepali kingdoms as well.

Dr Regmi writes that in Nepal the Samanatas adopted high sounding titles such as Maharaja and Maharajadhiraja at a time when they were just Samantas (vassals). An example is an inscription in which a Samanta of Changu area, named Amsu-Varma, adopted the title of Maharajadhiraja. They were not seen giving up the title of Samanta even after adopting a higher sounding title. One such example is Mahasamanta Maharaja Sri Karmalilah.<ref name="ancient1">[https://books.google.com/books?id=OPEcHLvf33YC&pg=PA94&dq=Samanta+nepal&hl=en&ei=PXydTeqILMLJrAfph92oBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAg#v=snippet&q=Samanta&f=false Inscriptions of ancient Nepal, Volume 1, by D. R. Regmi, p.94]</ref>

Regmi compares this situation with the Indian side, where the title of Maharaja was used by both the king as well as his feudatories, such as the feudatory of Sasnaka in [[Midnapore]], Sri Samanta Maharaja Samadatta, who ruled Dandabhukti of Utkala.<ref name="ancient1"/>

The position of a Samanta was also acquired by marrying into the ruling family. An example is Baliraja of Chaughan Rajasthanakot of [[Jumla (town)|Jumla]] who was made a Samanta Raja of the state after he married the daughter of Medinivarma who was the heiress of Semja. After marriage, Baliraja was virtually the head of all feudatory chiefs of the kingdom. This was elucidated in a copper-plate inscription of 1404 AD.<ref>Making of modern Nepal: a study of history, art, and culture of the principalities of western Nepal, by Ram NIwas Pandey, p.190</ref>

==Samanta Raju==
This compound Indian title refers to a territorial [[vassal]] or [[governor]] (a person who provides military support and governs a territory) under a king or [[monarch]] in exchange for certain guarantees) in South India. This should not be confused with the titles given in the colonial [[British India]].

==See also==
* [[Zamindar]]
* [[Jagirdar]]
* [[Sardar]]
* [[Mankari]]

==Sources and references==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Noble titles]]
[[Category:Titles in India]]

Samanta

2026-09-01T13:55:36Z

2405:204:140E:991A:0:0:2561:40A4: Sudhaar kiya gaya hai

{{About|the Indian title|the feminine given name|Samantha}}
'''Samanta''' was a title and position used by the army people of kings in the [[history of the Indian subcontinent]]. India dating to the 6th century.<ref name="journal 77">The Journal of the Bihar Research Society, Volumes 69-70, p.77</ref> The institution is considered to and is closely associated with the origin and growth of [[feudalism in India]].

However, the institution is known to have existed prior to the [[Gupta Empire|Gupta]] period, though details on them are vague. A [[Pallava]] inscription dating to the time of Santivarman (AD 455 - 470) uses the term ''Samanta-Chudamanayah'' (best feudatories).<ref name="ihist 415">Indian Hist (Opt), by Reddy, p.A-415</ref> The Samanta in South India was used to mean a vassal to an emperor. In North India, the earliest use of the term in a similar sense was in Bengal in the Barabar Hill Cave Inscription of the Maukhari Chief, Anantavarman (dating to the 6th century AD) in which his father is described as the ''Samanta-Chudamanih'' (best among feudatories) of the imperial Guptas.<ref name="ihist 415"/><ref>Origin and growth of feudalism in early India: from the Mauryas to AD 650, by Gian Chand Chauhan, p.53</ref>

==Early development==
The term 'Samanta' originally meant a 'neighbour' and in the Mauryan period, the term referred to the independent ruler of an adjoining territory as is evident from its use in the Arthashastra and Ashokan edicts. The 'border-kings' (''pratyan-tanripati'') mentioned by [[Samudragupta]] in his Allahabad ''prashasti'' were such Samantas in the original use of the term.<ref name="ihist 94">Indian Hist (Opt), by Reddy, p.A-94</ref>

However, the term underwent a change, and came to mean a 'vassal' by the end of the Gupta period and in the post-[[Gupta Empire|Gupta]] period. In fact, the institution of the Samanta was the main innovation that distinguished the post-Gupta period from the periods of ancient India. By the end of the Gupta period and by the 6th century the term Samanta came to be universally accepted as the Prince of a subjugated but reinstated tributary region.<ref name="ihist 94"/>

Early kingdoms of Medieval India would surround themselves with a "Samanta-Chakra", that is, a 'circle of tributary chiefs'.<ref>Southeast Asia in the 9th to 14th centuries, David G. Marr and Anthony Crothers Milner (Eds), p.10</ref> By the time of King [[Harsha]]vardhana, the institution of the Samanta had become well-developed and the Samantas came to be considered powerful figures.<ref name="journal 77"/> In order to integrate them into the hierarchy of the realm they were often given high positions in the court.<ref name="hist 95">Indian Hist (Opt), by Reddy, p.A-95</ref> One such example is the king of [[Vallabhi]] who was defeated by King Harsha and became a Maha-Samanta. This Vallabhi king then rose under Emperor Harsha to the position of a Maha-Pratihara (guardian of the royal gateway or the royal door-keeper) and went on to become a Maha-Danda-Nayaka (Royal Field Marshal).<ref name="hist 95"/> In effect, the institution of the Samanta brought rulers of fragmented or tribalistic, small independent regions under subjugation to serve the king or emperor as vassals.

The office of the Samanta represented a semantic change in state formation from an independent neighbour to a tributary chief and finally to a high ranking court official.

==Types of Samanta==
Banabhatta describes several types of Samantas in his work, ''Harsha Charita''. [[Banabhatta|Bana]]'s Harshacharitra is the only work from which we know of various categories of Samantas.<ref name="journal 77"/> Bana mentions a large number of conquered enemy Maha-Samantas in the royal camp who were probably waiting to be assigned their new duties.<ref>The Panjab past and present, Volume 23, Dept. of Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University, p.142</ref>

Some types of Samantas mentioned by Banabhatta are:

* Samanta: which signified the lowest and ordinary type of vassal.<ref name="genhist 95">General Studies History for UPSC, By Reddy, p.A-95</ref>
* Mahasamantha (Maha-Samanta): a step higher than a Samanta.<ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Shatrumahasamanta (Shatru-Maha-Samanta): a conquered enemy chief.<ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Aptasamanta (Apta-Samanta): those who willingly accepted vassalage and the emperor as their overlord.<ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Pradhanamahasamanta (Pradhana-Maha-Samanta): who were most trusted hands of the emperor and never disregarded their advice.<ref name="origin 54">Origin and growth of feudalism in early India: from the Mauryas to AD 650, by GC Chauhan, p.54</ref><ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Pratisamanta (Prati-Saamanta): who were opposed to the king and meant a hostile vassal.<ref name="origin 54"/><ref name="genhist 95"/> Though hostile, all Samantas had military obligations. If they did not fulfill their obligations, the king could seize their territory and appoint a new Samanta. Despite this, some Samantas would keep trying to throw off their allegiance to the king and assert their own independent rule.

Banabhatta uses the term Anuraktamahasamanta (Anurakta-Mahasamanta) only once and it possibly meant those especially attached to their overlord.<ref name="genhist 95"/>

==Obligations of the Samanta==
From the Harshacharitra, we understand that the Samanta had five duties. They are:<ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Paying yearly tributes to the emperor.
* Paying homage to the emperor in person.
* Defeated Samantas had to offer their sons and minor princes to the Emperor so that they are groomed in the imperial traditions and grow to be loyal to the emperor.
* Render military aid to the emperor.
* Perform administrative and judicial functions in times of peace.

In the nature of rendering military aid, paying tributes and performing administrative and judicial functions, the office of the Samanta is comparable to the office of the [[Nayak (title)#Nayankara System in South India|Nayaka]] which was followed by the [[Vijayanagar Empire]].

The Samanta system was followed by several kingdoms across north and south India.

==In South India==
Some examples of Samantas in South India are:
* In the [[Hoysala]] empire, samantas were feudal chiefs paying vassalitic homage to the [[Maharaja]] and served the king as heredity governors. Some examples or names of the Hoysala heredity governors are Samanta Chattaya ruling Huliyara, Samanta Goyideva ruling Magare and Samanta Bankeya ruling Senavagere. Some such as Samanta Gandaraditya ruled over a larger territory of Arakere, Kaligunda, Kunduru, Belugere, etc. put together.<ref>The half-yearly journal of the Mysore University, Volume 3, p.106</ref>
* In the [[Chalukya]] empire, the [[Bana Kingdom|Banas]] under Vikramaditya Bali Indra Banaraja, the son of Balikula Tilaka Banaraja accepted the overlordship of the Chalukyas and proclaimed themselves as "Taruna Vasantham" and "Samanta Kesari".<ref>Karnataka through the ages: from prehistoric times to the day of the independence of India, Department of Literary and Cultural Development, Govt. of Mysore, 1968, p.131</ref>
* In the [[Kakatiya]] dynasty some examples are of Gonka I who rose to become a viceroy and Beta I (AD 1000 - 1050). Beta I emerged from a status of the Samanta Vishti Vamsa, a feudatory family from among the Karma or [[Kamma (caste)|Kamma]] Buddhist peasants and went on to become a feudatory prince within the Chalukya empire. Beta's son, Prola I, rose to become a Mahamandalesvara under the Chalukya King Someshvara. Further, the son of Prola I named Beta II (aka, Betha Raju) and his grandson named [[Prola II]] assumed princely status in the Kakatiya dynasty.<ref>Kakatiya Nayaks: their contribution to Dakshinapath's independence, 1300-1370 A.D, by NG Ranga, p.15</ref>
* The office of the Samanta was also passed on as a matrilineal inheritance. An example is the Paduva Panamburu inscription of AD 1542 which refers to one Kinnika Samanta being succeeded by his [[Bunt (community)#Matrilineal inheritance|Aliya]] (elder sister's son), Dugganna Samant, a [[Jain]] Chieftain of [[Mulki, Karnataka|Mulki]].<ref>Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Volume 64, p.180</ref> The Chiefs of Mulki served as Samantas and patronized Jainism.<ref>Religions in coastal Karnataka, 1500-1763, by KGV Madhava, p.73-85</ref>

==In North India==
* The Samanta feudatories of Sagakula were called 'Sahi' and their overlord was called 'Sahanu Sahi' (King of Kings).<ref name="malwa 41">Mālwa in post-Maurya period: a critical study with special emphasis on numismatic evidences, by Manika Chakrabarti, p.41</ref> The location of Sagakula is unknown. The Jaina saint Kalaka describes in his "Kalakacarya Kathanaka", that a group of [[Saka]] kings called Sahi kings were induced to come to India from 'Sagakula'. After crossing the Indus, they captured Kathiawar and Ujjayini and installed their own Sahi as the "King of Kings" and began a dynasty.<ref>The Dynasty Arts of the Kushans, University of California Press, p.130</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.europabarbarorum.com/factions_saka_history.html|title=Europa Barbarorum}}</ref> The Sagakula were probably Saka-Kula Western Satraps who had been expelled from [[Sistan|Seistan]] by [[Mithridates II of Parthia|Mitradates-II]] of Parthia.<ref name="malwa 41"/>

==In East India==
* It is suggested that, Adisura kon a Mahishya community, ruled over a small portion of northern Bengal and Bihar as a Samanta king during the Pala rule.<ref>The history and culture of the Pālas of Bengal and Bihar, cir. 750 A.D.-cir. 1200 AD, by Jhunu Bagchi, p.75</ref>
* A samanta king (sub-ordinate ruler) named Sarangadeva or Kesari of the [[Somavaṃśī dynasty|Somavamsi]] family is said to have probably ruled Sarang-Garh in Odisha.<ref>Legend, history, and culture of India: based on archaeology, art, and literature, by Kailash Chandra Dash, p.11</ref>
* [[Bardhaman|Bardhamman]] was ruled by a Samanta king, Ichai Ghosh or Iswani Ghosh of the Sadgop community, which his desdendents held as a zamindari.<ref>Census of India, 1991: West Bengal, Volume 3, p.14</ref>

==In Nepal==
In the [[Nepal]]i realm of the Maharaja of [[Licchavi (kingdom)|Licchavi]], samantas held feudal domains and played a major part at court. Samantas played a role in other Nepali kingdoms as well.

Dr Regmi writes that in Nepal the Samanatas adopted high sounding titles such as Maharaja and Maharajadhiraja at a time when they were just Samantas (vassals). An example is an inscription in which a Samanta of Changu area, named Amsu-Varma, adopted the title of Maharajadhiraja. They were not seen giving up the title of Samanta even after adopting a higher sounding title. One such example is Mahasamanta Maharaja Sri Karmalilah.<ref name="ancient1">[https://books.google.com/books?id=OPEcHLvf33YC&pg=PA94&dq=Samanta+nepal&hl=en&ei=PXydTeqILMLJrAfph92oBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAg#v=snippet&q=Samanta&f=false Inscriptions of ancient Nepal, Volume 1, by D. R. Regmi, p.94]</ref>

Regmi compares this situation with the Indian side, where the title of Maharaja was used by both the king as well as his feudatories, such as the feudatory of Sasnaka in [[Midnapore]], Sri Samanta Maharaja Samadatta, who ruled Dandabhukti of Utkala.<ref name="ancient1"/>

The position of a Samanta was also acquired by marrying into the ruling family. An example is Baliraja of Chaughan Rajasthanakot of [[Jumla (town)|Jumla]] who was made a Samanta Raja of the state after he married the daughter of Medinivarma who was the heiress of Semja. After marriage, Baliraja was virtually the head of all feudatory chiefs of the kingdom. This was elucidated in a copper-plate inscription of 1404 AD.<ref>Making of modern Nepal: a study of history, art, and culture of the principalities of western Nepal, by Ram NIwas Pandey, p.190</ref>

==Samanta Raju==
This compound Indian title refers to a territorial [[vassal]] or [[governor]] (a person who provides military support and governs a territory) under a king or [[monarch]] in exchange for certain guarantees) in South India. This should not be confused with the titles given in the colonial [[British India]].

==See also==
* [[Zamindar]]
* [[Jagirdar]]
* [[Sardar]]
* [[Mankari]]

==Sources and references==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Noble titles]]
[[Category:Titles in India]]

Samanta

2026-09-01T13:52:28Z

2405:204:140E:991A:0:0:2561:40A4: Sudhaar kiya gaya hai

{{About|the Indian title|the feminine given name|Samantha}}
'''Samanta''' was a title and position used by the army people of kings in the [[history of the Indian subcontinent]]. India dating to the 6th century.<ref name="journal 77">The Journal of the Bihar Research Society, Volumes 69-70, p.77</ref> The institution is considered to and is closely associated with the origin and growth of [[feudalism in India]].

However, the institution is known to have existed prior to the [[Gupta Empire|Gupta]] period, though details on them are vague. A [[Pallava]] inscription dating to the time of Santivarman (AD 455 - 470) uses the term ''Samanta-Chudamanayah'' (best feudatories).<ref name="ihist 415">Indian Hist (Opt), by Reddy, p.A-415</ref> The Samanta in South India was used to mean a vassal to an emperor. In North India, the earliest use of the term in a similar sense was in Bengal in the Barabar Hill Cave Inscription of the Maukhari Chief, Anantavarman (dating to the 6th century AD) in which his father is described as the ''Samanta-Chudamanih'' (best among feudatories) of the imperial Guptas.<ref name="ihist 415"/><ref>Origin and growth of feudalism in early India: from the Mauryas to AD 650, by Gian Chand Chauhan, p.53</ref>

==Early development==
The term 'Samanta' originally meant a 'neighbour' and in the Mauryan period, the term referred to the independent ruler of an adjoining territory as is evident from its use in the Arthashastra and Ashokan edicts. The 'border-kings' (''pratyan-tanripati'') mentioned by [[Samudragupta]] in his Allahabad ''prashasti'' were such Samantas in the original use of the term.<ref name="ihist 94">Indian Hist (Opt), by Reddy, p.A-94</ref>

However, the term underwent a change, and came to mean a 'vassal' by the end of the Gupta period and in the post-[[Gupta Empire|Gupta]] period. In fact, the institution of the Samanta was the main innovation that distinguished the post-Gupta period from the periods of ancient India. By the end of the Gupta period and by the 6th century the term Samanta came to be universally accepted as the Prince of a subjugated but reinstated tributary region.<ref name="ihist 94"/>

Early kingdoms of Medieval India would surround themselves with a "Samanta-Chakra", that is, a 'circle of tributary chiefs'.<ref>Southeast Asia in the 9th to 14th centuries, David G. Marr and Anthony Crothers Milner (Eds), p.10</ref> By the time of King [[Harsha]]vardhana, the institution of the Samanta had become well-developed and the Samantas came to be considered powerful figures.<ref name="journal 77"/> In order to integrate them into the hierarchy of the realm they were often given high positions in the court.<ref name="hist 95">Indian Hist (Opt), by Reddy, p.A-95</ref> One such example is the king of [[Vallabhi]] who was defeated by King Harsha and became a Maha-Samanta. This Vallabhi king then rose under Emperor Harsha to the position of a Maha-Pratihara (guardian of the royal gateway or the royal door-keeper) and went on to become a Maha-Danda-Nayaka (Royal Field Marshal).<ref name="hist 95"/> In effect, the institution of the Samanta brought rulers of fragmented or tribalistic, small independent regions under subjugation to serve the king or emperor as vassals.

The office of the Samanta represented a semantic change in state formation from an independent neighbour to a tributary chief and finally to a high ranking court official.

==Types of Samanta==
Banabhatta describes several types of Samantas in his work, ''Harsha Charita''. [[Banabhatta|Bana]]'s Harshacharitra is the only work from which we know of various categories of Samantas.<ref name="journal 77"/> Bana mentions a large number of conquered enemy Maha-Samantas in the royal camp who were probably waiting to be assigned their new duties.<ref>The Panjab past and present, Volume 23, Dept. of Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University, p.142</ref>

Some types of Samantas mentioned by Banabhatta are:

* Samanta: which signified the lowest and ordinary type of vassal.<ref name="genhist 95">General Studies History for UPSC, By Reddy, p.A-95</ref>
* Mahasamantha (Maha-Samanta): a step higher than a Samanta.<ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Shatrumahasamanta (Shatru-Maha-Samanta): a conquered enemy chief.<ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Aptasamanta (Apta-Samanta): those who willingly accepted vassalage and the emperor as their overlord.<ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Pradhanamahasamanta (Pradhana-Maha-Samanta): who were most trusted hands of the emperor and never disregarded their advice.<ref name="origin 54">Origin and growth of feudalism in early India: from the Mauryas to AD 650, by GC Chauhan, p.54</ref><ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Pratisamanta (Prati-Saamanta): who were opposed to the king and meant a hostile vassal.<ref name="origin 54"/><ref name="genhist 95"/> Though hostile, all Samantas had military obligations. If they did not fulfill their obligations, the king could seize their territory and appoint a new Samanta. Despite this, some Samantas would keep trying to throw off their allegiance to the king and assert their own independent rule.

Banabhatta uses the term Anuraktamahasamanta (Anurakta-Mahasamanta) only once and it possibly meant those especially attached to their overlord.<ref name="genhist 95"/>

==Obligations of the Samanta==
From the Harshacharitra, we understand that the Samanta had five duties. They are:<ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Paying yearly tributes to the emperor.
* Paying homage to the emperor in person.
* Defeated Samantas had to offer their sons and minor princes to the Emperor so that they are groomed in the imperial traditions and grow to be loyal to the emperor.
* Render military aid to the emperor.
* Perform administrative and judicial functions in times of peace.

In the nature of rendering military aid, paying tributes and performing administrative and judicial functions, the office of the Samanta is comparable to the office of the [[Nayak (title)#Nayankara System in South India|Nayaka]] which was followed by the [[Vijayanagar Empire]].

The Samanta system was followed by several kingdoms across north and south India.

==In South India==
Some examples of Samantas in South India are:
* In the [[Hoysala]] empire, samantas were feudal chiefs paying vassalitic homage to the [[Maharaja]] and served the king as heredity governors. Some examples or names of the Hoysala heredity governors are Samanta Chattaya ruling Huliyara, Samanta Goyideva ruling Magare and Samanta Bankeya ruling Senavagere. Some such as Samanta Gandaraditya ruled over a larger territory of Arakere, Kaligunda, Kunduru, Belugere, etc. put together.<ref>The half-yearly journal of the Mysore University, Volume 3, p.106</ref>
* In the [[Chalukya]] empire, the [[Bana Kingdom|Banas]] under Vikramaditya Bali Indra Banaraja, the son of Balikula Tilaka Banaraja accepted the overlordship of the Chalukyas and proclaimed themselves as "Taruna Vasantham" and "Samanta Kesari".<ref>Karnataka through the ages: from prehistoric times to the day of the independence of India, Department of Literary and Cultural Development, Govt. of Mysore, 1968, p.131</ref>
* In the [[Kakatiya]] dynasty some examples are of Gonka I who rose to become a viceroy and Beta I (AD 1000 - 1050). Beta I emerged from a status of the Samanta Vishti Vamsa, a feudatory family from among the Karma or [[Kamma (caste)|Kamma]] Buddhist peasants and went on to become a feudatory prince within the Chalukya empire. Beta's son, Prola I, rose to become a Mahamandalesvara under the Chalukya King Someshvara. Further, the son of Prola I named Beta II (aka, Betha Raju) and his grandson named [[Prola II]] assumed princely status in the Kakatiya dynasty.<ref>Kakatiya Nayaks: their contribution to Dakshinapath's independence, 1300-1370 A.D, by NG Ranga, p.15</ref>
* The office of the Samanta was also passed on as a matrilineal inheritance. An example is the Paduva Panamburu inscription of AD 1542 which refers to one Kinnika Samanta being succeeded by his [[Bunt (community)#Matrilineal inheritance|Aliya]] (elder sister's son), Dugganna Samant, a [[Jain]] Chieftain of [[Mulki, Karnataka|Mulki]].<ref>Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Volume 64, p.180</ref> The Chiefs of Mulki served as Samantas and patronized Jainism.<ref>Religions in coastal Karnataka, 1500-1763, by KGV Madhava, p.73-85</ref>

==In North India==
* The Samanta feudatories of Sagakula were called 'Sahi' and their overlord was called 'Sahanu Sahi' (King of Kings).<ref name="malwa 41">Mālwa in post-Maurya period: a critical study with special emphasis on numismatic evidences, by Manika Chakrabarti, p.41</ref> The location of Sagakula is unknown. The Jaina saint Kalaka describes in his "Kalakacarya Kathanaka", that a group of [[Saka]] kings called Sahi kings were induced to come to India from 'Sagakula'. After crossing the Indus, they captured Kathiawar and Ujjayini and installed their own Sahi as the "King of Kings" and began a dynasty.<ref>The Dynasty Arts of the Kushans, University of California Press, p.130</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.europabarbarorum.com/factions_saka_history.html|title=Europa Barbarorum}}</ref> The Sagakula were probably Saka-Kula Western Satraps who had been expelled from [[Sistan|Seistan]] by [[Mithridates II of Parthia|Mitradates-II]] of Parthia.<ref name="malwa 41"/>

==In East India==
* It is suggested that Mahishya community, Adisura ruled over a small portion of northern Bengal and Bihar as a Samanta king during the Pala rule.<ref>The history and culture of the Pālas of Bengal and Bihar, cir. 750 A.D.-cir. 1200 AD, by Jhunu Bagchi, p.75</ref>
* A samanta king (sub-ordinate ruler) named Sarangadeva or Kesari of the [[Somavaṃśī dynasty|Somavamsi]] family is said to have probably ruled Sarang-Garh in Odisha.<ref>Legend, history, and culture of India: based on archaeology, art, and literature, by Kailash Chandra Dash, p.11</ref>
* [[Bardhaman|Bardhamman]] was ruled by a Samanta king, Ichai Ghosh or Iswani Ghosh of the Sadgop community, which his desdendents held as a zamindari.<ref>Census of India, 1991: West Bengal, Volume 3, p.14</ref>

==In Nepal==
In the [[Nepal]]i realm of the Maharaja of [[Licchavi (kingdom)|Licchavi]], samantas held feudal domains and played a major part at court. Samantas played a role in other Nepali kingdoms as well.

Dr Regmi writes that in Nepal the Samanatas adopted high sounding titles such as Maharaja and Maharajadhiraja at a time when they were just Samantas (vassals). An example is an inscription in which a Samanta of Changu area, named Amsu-Varma, adopted the title of Maharajadhiraja. They were not seen giving up the title of Samanta even after adopting a higher sounding title. One such example is Mahasamanta Maharaja Sri Karmalilah.<ref name="ancient1">[https://books.google.com/books?id=OPEcHLvf33YC&pg=PA94&dq=Samanta+nepal&hl=en&ei=PXydTeqILMLJrAfph92oBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAg#v=snippet&q=Samanta&f=false Inscriptions of ancient Nepal, Volume 1, by D. R. Regmi, p.94]</ref>

Regmi compares this situation with the Indian side, where the title of Maharaja was used by both the king as well as his feudatories, such as the feudatory of Sasnaka in [[Midnapore]], Sri Samanta Maharaja Samadatta, who ruled Dandabhukti of Utkala.<ref name="ancient1"/>

The position of a Samanta was also acquired by marrying into the ruling family. An example is Baliraja of Chaughan Rajasthanakot of [[Jumla (town)|Jumla]] who was made a Samanta Raja of the state after he married the daughter of Medinivarma who was the heiress of Semja. After marriage, Baliraja was virtually the head of all feudatory chiefs of the kingdom. This was elucidated in a copper-plate inscription of 1404 AD.<ref>Making of modern Nepal: a study of history, art, and culture of the principalities of western Nepal, by Ram NIwas Pandey, p.190</ref>

==Samanta Raju==
This compound Indian title refers to a territorial [[vassal]] or [[governor]] (a person who provides military support and governs a territory) under a king or [[monarch]] in exchange for certain guarantees) in South India. This should not be confused with the titles given in the colonial [[British India]].

==See also==
* [[Zamindar]]
* [[Jagirdar]]
* [[Sardar]]
* [[Mankari]]

==Sources and references==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Noble titles]]
[[Category:Titles in India]]

Samanta

2026-09-01T13:49:53Z

2405:204:140E:991A:0:0:2561:40A4: Community mai sudhaar kiya gaya hai

{{About|the Indian title|the feminine given name|Samantha}}
'''Samanta''' was a title and position used by the army people of kings in the [[history of the Indian subcontinent]]. India dating to the 6th century.<ref name="journal 77">The Journal of the Bihar Research Society, Volumes 69-70, p.77</ref> The institution is considered to and is closely associated with the origin and growth of [[feudalism in India]].

However, the institution is known to have existed prior to the [[Gupta Empire|Gupta]] period, though details on them are vague. A [[Pallava]] inscription dating to the time of Santivarman (AD 455 - 470) uses the term ''Samanta-Chudamanayah'' (best feudatories).<ref name="ihist 415">Indian Hist (Opt), by Reddy, p.A-415</ref> The Samanta in South India was used to mean a vassal to an emperor. In North India, the earliest use of the term in a similar sense was in Bengal in the Barabar Hill Cave Inscription of the Maukhari Chief, Anantavarman (dating to the 6th century AD) in which his father is described as the ''Samanta-Chudamanih'' (best among feudatories) of the imperial Guptas.<ref name="ihist 415"/><ref>Origin and growth of feudalism in early India: from the Mauryas to AD 650, by Gian Chand Chauhan, p.53</ref>

==Early development==
The term 'Samanta' originally meant a 'neighbour' and in the Mauryan period, the term referred to the independent ruler of an adjoining territory as is evident from its use in the Arthashastra and Ashokan edicts. The 'border-kings' (''pratyan-tanripati'') mentioned by [[Samudragupta]] in his Allahabad ''prashasti'' were such Samantas in the original use of the term.<ref name="ihist 94">Indian Hist (Opt), by Reddy, p.A-94</ref>

However, the term underwent a change, and came to mean a 'vassal' by the end of the Gupta period and in the post-[[Gupta Empire|Gupta]] period. In fact, the institution of the Samanta was the main innovation that distinguished the post-Gupta period from the periods of ancient India. By the end of the Gupta period and by the 6th century the term Samanta came to be universally accepted as the Prince of a subjugated but reinstated tributary region.<ref name="ihist 94"/>

Early kingdoms of Medieval India would surround themselves with a "Samanta-Chakra", that is, a 'circle of tributary chiefs'.<ref>Southeast Asia in the 9th to 14th centuries, David G. Marr and Anthony Crothers Milner (Eds), p.10</ref> By the time of King [[Harsha]]vardhana, the institution of the Samanta had become well-developed and the Samantas came to be considered powerful figures.<ref name="journal 77"/> In order to integrate them into the hierarchy of the realm they were often given high positions in the court.<ref name="hist 95">Indian Hist (Opt), by Reddy, p.A-95</ref> One such example is the king of [[Vallabhi]] who was defeated by King Harsha and became a Maha-Samanta. This Vallabhi king then rose under Emperor Harsha to the position of a Maha-Pratihara (guardian of the royal gateway or the royal door-keeper) and went on to become a Maha-Danda-Nayaka (Royal Field Marshal).<ref name="hist 95"/> In effect, the institution of the Samanta brought rulers of fragmented or tribalistic, small independent regions under subjugation to serve the king or emperor as vassals.

The office of the Samanta represented a semantic change in state formation from an independent neighbour to a tributary chief and finally to a high ranking court official.

==Types of Samanta==
Banabhatta describes several types of Samantas in his work, ''Harsha Charita''. [[Banabhatta|Bana]]'s Harshacharitra is the only work from which we know of various categories of Samantas.<ref name="journal 77"/> Bana mentions a large number of conquered enemy Maha-Samantas in the royal camp who were probably waiting to be assigned their new duties.<ref>The Panjab past and present, Volume 23, Dept. of Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University, p.142</ref>

Some types of Samantas mentioned by Banabhatta are:

* Samanta: which signified the lowest and ordinary type of vassal.<ref name="genhist 95">General Studies History for UPSC, By Reddy, p.A-95</ref>
* Mahasamantha (Maha-Samanta): a step higher than a Samanta.<ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Shatrumahasamanta (Shatru-Maha-Samanta): a conquered enemy chief.<ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Aptasamanta (Apta-Samanta): those who willingly accepted vassalage and the emperor as their overlord.<ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Pradhanamahasamanta (Pradhana-Maha-Samanta): who were most trusted hands of the emperor and never disregarded their advice.<ref name="origin 54">Origin and growth of feudalism in early India: from the Mauryas to AD 650, by GC Chauhan, p.54</ref><ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Pratisamanta (Prati-Saamanta): who were opposed to the king and meant a hostile vassal.<ref name="origin 54"/><ref name="genhist 95"/> Though hostile, all Samantas had military obligations. If they did not fulfill their obligations, the king could seize their territory and appoint a new Samanta. Despite this, some Samantas would keep trying to throw off their allegiance to the king and assert their own independent rule.

Banabhatta uses the term Anuraktamahasamanta (Anurakta-Mahasamanta) only once and it possibly meant those especially attached to their overlord.<ref name="genhist 95"/>

==Obligations of the Samanta==
From the Harshacharitra, we understand that the Samanta had five duties. They are:<ref name="genhist 95"/>
* Paying yearly tributes to the emperor.
* Paying homage to the emperor in person.
* Defeated Samantas had to offer their sons and minor princes to the Emperor so that they are groomed in the imperial traditions and grow to be loyal to the emperor.
* Render military aid to the emperor.
* Perform administrative and judicial functions in times of peace.

In the nature of rendering military aid, paying tributes and performing administrative and judicial functions, the office of the Samanta is comparable to the office of the [[Nayak (title)#Nayankara System in South India|Nayaka]] which was followed by the [[Vijayanagar Empire]].

The Samanta system was followed by several kingdoms across north and south India.

==In South India==
Some examples of Samantas in South India are:
* In the [[Hoysala]] empire, samantas were feudal chiefs paying vassalitic homage to the [[Maharaja]] and served the king as heredity governors. Some examples or names of the Hoysala heredity governors are Samanta Chattaya ruling Huliyara, Samanta Goyideva ruling Magare and Samanta Bankeya ruling Senavagere. Some such as Samanta Gandaraditya ruled over a larger territory of Arakere, Kaligunda, Kunduru, Belugere, etc. put together.<ref>The half-yearly journal of the Mysore University, Volume 3, p.106</ref>
* In the [[Chalukya]] empire, the [[Bana Kingdom|Banas]] under Vikramaditya Bali Indra Banaraja, the son of Balikula Tilaka Banaraja accepted the overlordship of the Chalukyas and proclaimed themselves as "Taruna Vasantham" and "Samanta Kesari".<ref>Karnataka through the ages: from prehistoric times to the day of the independence of India, Department of Literary and Cultural Development, Govt. of Mysore, 1968, p.131</ref>
* In the [[Kakatiya]] dynasty some examples are of Gonka I who rose to become a viceroy and Beta I (AD 1000 - 1050). Beta I emerged from a status of the Samanta Vishti Vamsa, a feudatory family from among the Karma or [[Kamma (caste)|Kamma]] Buddhist peasants and went on to become a feudatory prince within the Chalukya empire. Beta's son, Prola I, rose to become a Mahamandalesvara under the Chalukya King Someshvara. Further, the son of Prola I named Beta II (aka, Betha Raju) and his grandson named [[Prola II]] assumed princely status in the Kakatiya dynasty.<ref>Kakatiya Nayaks: their contribution to Dakshinapath's independence, 1300-1370 A.D, by NG Ranga, p.15</ref>
* The office of the Samanta was also passed on as a matrilineal inheritance. An example is the Paduva Panamburu inscription of AD 1542 which refers to one Kinnika Samanta being succeeded by his [[Bunt (community)#Matrilineal inheritance|Aliya]] (elder sister's son), Dugganna Samant, a [[Jain]] Chieftain of [[Mulki, Karnataka|Mulki]].<ref>Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Volume 64, p.180</ref> The Chiefs of Mulki served as Samantas and patronized Jainism.<ref>Religions in coastal Karnataka, 1500-1763, by KGV Madhava, p.73-85</ref>

==In North India==
* The Samanta feudatories of Sagakula were called 'Sahi' and their overlord was called 'Sahanu Sahi' (King of Kings).<ref name="malwa 41">Mālwa in post-Maurya period: a critical study with special emphasis on numismatic evidences, by Manika Chakrabarti, p.41</ref> The location of Sagakula is unknown. The Jaina saint Kalaka describes in his "Kalakacarya Kathanaka", that a group of [[Saka]] kings called Sahi kings were induced to come to India from 'Sagakula'. After crossing the Indus, they captured Kathiawar and Ujjayini and installed their own Sahi as the "King of Kings" and began a dynasty.<ref>The Dynasty Arts of the Kushans, University of California Press, p.130</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.europabarbarorum.com/factions_saka_history.html|title=Europa Barbarorum}}</ref> The Sagakula were probably Saka-Kula Western Satraps who had been expelled from [[Sistan|Seistan]] by [[Mithridates II of Parthia|Mitradates-II]] of Parthia.<ref name="malwa 41"/>

==In East India==
* It is suggested that Adisura ruled over a small portion of northern Bengal and Bihar as a Samanta king during the Pala rule.<ref>The history and culture of the Pālas of Bengal and Bihar, cir. 750 A.D.-cir. 1200 AD, by Jhunu Bagchi, p.75</ref>
* A samanta king (sub-ordinate ruler) named Sarangadeva or Kesari of the [[Somavaṃśī dynasty|Somavamsi]] family is said to have probably ruled Sarang-Garh in Odisha.<ref>Legend, history, and culture of India: based on archaeology, art, and literature, by Kailash Chandra Dash, p.11</ref>
* [[Bardhaman|Bardhamman]] was ruled by a Samanta king, Ichai Ghosh or Iswani Ghosh of the Sadgop community, which his desdendents held as a zamindari.<ref>Census of India, 1991: West Bengal, Volume 3, p.14</ref>

==In Nepal==
In the [[Nepal]]i realm of the Maharaja of [[Licchavi (kingdom)|Licchavi]], samantas held feudal domains and played a major part at court. Samantas played a role in other Nepali kingdoms as well.

Dr Regmi writes that in Nepal the Samanatas adopted high sounding titles such as Maharaja and Maharajadhiraja at a time when they were just Samantas (vassals). An example is an inscription in which a Samanta of Changu area, named Amsu-Varma, adopted the title of Maharajadhiraja. They were not seen giving up the title of Samanta even after adopting a higher sounding title. One such example is Mahasamanta Maharaja Sri Karmalilah.<ref name="ancient1">[https://books.google.com/books?id=OPEcHLvf33YC&pg=PA94&dq=Samanta+nepal&hl=en&ei=PXydTeqILMLJrAfph92oBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAg#v=snippet&q=Samanta&f=false Inscriptions of ancient Nepal, Volume 1, by D. R. Regmi, p.94]</ref>

Regmi compares this situation with the Indian side, where the title of Maharaja was used by both the king as well as his feudatories, such as the feudatory of Sasnaka in [[Midnapore]], Sri Samanta Maharaja Samadatta, who ruled Dandabhukti of Utkala.<ref name="ancient1"/>

The position of a Samanta was also acquired by marrying into the ruling family. An example is Baliraja of Chaughan Rajasthanakot of [[Jumla (town)|Jumla]] who was made a Samanta Raja of the state after he married the daughter of Medinivarma who was the heiress of Semja. After marriage, Baliraja was virtually the head of all feudatory chiefs of the kingdom. This was elucidated in a copper-plate inscription of 1404 AD.<ref>Making of modern Nepal: a study of history, art, and culture of the principalities of western Nepal, by Ram NIwas Pandey, p.190</ref>

==Samanta Raju==
This compound Indian title refers to a territorial [[vassal]] or [[governor]] (a person who provides military support and governs a territory) under a king or [[monarch]] in exchange for certain guarantees) in South India. This should not be confused with the titles given in the colonial [[British India]].

==See also==
* [[Zamindar]]
* [[Jagirdar]]
* [[Sardar]]
* [[Mankari]]

==Sources and references==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Noble titles]]
[[Category:Titles in India]]