Brief Notes on The Samanta System | Indian History

In Indian context the term Samanta system means the political system that chiefly depended on land-owners. We come to know about the beginning of the system at the Gupta period but it was its full swing during the Rajput Age.

How the Samanta or feudal tendency grew is obvious from paucity of coins of common use from the Gupta period onwards.

This factor was linked with the decline of internal trade. In the Harsha period hardly any coin can be ascribed with certainty to any ruling class.

It indicates that there was no purchasing power around needing coins of common usage. Moreover, political, social, religious and economic conditions of the land gave a strong base for feudalism. Frequent invasions weakened the central authority and anarchy prevailed in the past- Gupta period. The weakness of the central power led to the rise of an influential class, which undertook the charge of defending the people. In an age of anarchy and uncertainty people were attracted towards the rising class of small kingdoms, which developed elements of feudalism.

There was the growth of individual ownership of land at the cost of royal and communal ownership. The peasantry was subjected to various disabilities through sub-infatuation, eviction and imposition of non-customary taxes and forced labour. Attendance of feudal dignitaries at the royal court on specified occasions was made obligatory. The vassal was expected to pay regular tribute to his emperor and to assist him with troops and money. The vassal while granting his charers was expected to mention the name and title of his over-lord before that of his own. On occasions the resident representative of the overlord used to be present in the courts of the vassals. Very often vassals acted as ministers of their lords.

The titles used by the feudatories also grew in number. The important rankers were known as Maha Samantas, Mahamandaleshvaras and so on. The man of lower rank took the titles of Raja, Samanta, Thakura, Bhokta etc. A text of twelfth century, namely, the Manasollas clearly suggests a king not to violate their samantas, ministers, courtiers and military personnel. Nine classes of samantas and revenues, used by them are mentioned in the Manasar. The following categories of samantas are claimed in the Aparajitprichha, a text of the 12th century:

(a) Mahamandaleshwar;

(b) Mandalika;

(c) Mahasamanta;

(d) Samanta:

(e) Laghu Samanta; and

(f) Chaturanshaka.

The persons who were granted lands gradually increased their influence and became samantas. Thus, an important class emerged in between the king and his subjects. The position of the general people declined in consequence as they had to rely more on samantas than the king.