Question

In ancient India, the leader of merchant caravans was called ______.
1. Maha-danda-nayaka
2. Sandhi-vigrahika
3. Prathama-kulika
4. Sarthavaha

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : Sarthavaha

The correct answer is Sarthavaha.

• ADMINISTRATION IN Ancient India:
  • Some posts were made hereditary.
    • This meant that the son got a particular post after the death of this father.
    • Let us take the example of poet Harisena.
    • He was a Maha-danda-nayaka (Chief Judicial Officer) and his father held the same post.
  • There were many instances when a single person held many posts.
    • Let us take the example of Harisena once again.
    • He also held the posts of Kumar-amatya (important minister) and Sandhi-vigrahika (minister of war and peace).
  • Many important men exercised authority in local administration.
    • Some examples of such persons are; the nagara-shreshthi (chief banker or merchant), sarthavaha (leader of the merchant caravan), and the heads of the kayasthas (scribes).
  • These policies appear quite effective in keeping control over the kingdom to a certain extent.
    • But, gradually, the local satraps grew in power and eventually set up their own independent kingdoms.