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(2) Pkt. Mahāmata.
 
(3) Often referred to in plural as in Aśoka's
second separate Jaugada Rock Edict, line 1
(....mahāmata), meaning top ranking Exe-
cutive Officers. The Mahamatras mentioned
in the separate Rock Edicts of Dhauli and
Jaugada are supposed to have formed a Council
of Governors to carry on the administration of
Kalinga.
 
Political Concepts in Ancient India
 
(4) The term often forms the latter part of a
larger technical term meaning top ranking offi-
cials looking after special branches of adminis-
tration, e.g., Dharma Mahāmātra (=Dhamma-
Mahāmata) in the seventh Pillar Edict (Delhi-
Topra) of Asoka and Sramana-Mahāmātra
(=Samana Mahamata) in the Nasik Cave Ins-
cription of the time of Krishna.
 
(5) A member of the group of 18 Tirthas or 18
Mahāmatras (See under TIRTHA).
 
(6) According to Amarakośa, Mahāmātra is the
Mahamantri, i.e. Chief Minister.5
 
(7) Manu Samhita, IX-259 mentions the term
Mahāmātra, where Medhatithi understands the
term to mean Mantri, Purohita, etc. (mantrī-
purohitādayaḥ).
 
(8) Apte quotes an old verse according to which
the Mahamatra is called so because of having
political wisdom, deeds, ornaments, wealth,
 
2. K. P. Jayaswal, Hindu Polity, p. 284.
 
3, D. C. Siroar, Select Inscriptions, Vol. I, p. 63.
 
4. D. C. Sircar, Ibid., pp. 189 f.
 
5. mahāmātraḥ pradhānāni (Amara. Kṣatriya varga).
 
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UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN