Which of the following statements is true about the role of the 'Bhandagarika' in ancient Indian administration?
- AThey were officials responsible for military training.
- BThey kept records of the transactions and conventions of guilds, as mentioned in the Nigrodha Jataka.
- CThey managed the royal treasury and the minting of coins.
- DThey served as the chief tax collectors in the Mauryan Empire.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answers: (b) They kept records of the transactions and conventions of guilds, as mentioned in the Nigrodha Jataka. or (c) They managed the royal treasury and the minting of coins.
Explanation
Bhandagarika means the keeper of the bhandagara, the royal storehouse and treasury. In Buddhist texts he is the king's treasurer, in charge of the royal funds and valuables, including the coins kept in the treasury.
In the Nigrodha Jataka, when the king makes his friend Pottika the treasurer, the post comes with the judgeship of all the merchant guilds, a new office. So the bhandagarika also dealt with the affairs and customs of the guilds (shrenis).
Under the Mauryas, the chief revenue collector was the samaharta and the keeper of the treasury the sannidhata. Military training and tax collection were not the bhandagarika's work.
The book's key is (c): the bhandagarika was the royal treasurer. In the Nigrodha Jataka the treasurer was also the judge of all the merchant guilds, so (b) is also accepted.