Important Terms in Ancient Indian History and their Meaning

Gojit 

Winner of Cows

Gavisthi

War for Cows 

Govikartana 

Forest Chief 

Gavyuti 

Measure of distance 

Godhuli

Measure of time 

Duhitri

Daughter 

Sangrihitri 

Treasurer 

Vrihi 

Rice

Godhuma 

Wheat

Spasa

Spy

Panis 

Traders

Varthaka

Merchant class 

Bhagadugha 

Tax Collector 

Palgala 

Messenger 

Akshvapa 

Accountant 

Niyoga 

Special type of widow marriage 

Aranyakas

Vedic texts composed by hermits 

Rajan 

king

Gramini

Head of Village 

Kula 

Clan 

Amatya

Minister 

Sannidhata

Treasurer and keeper of stores

Samharta

Chief Revenue Collector

Rajuka 

Responsible for surveying and assessing land 

Sitadhyaksha

Superintendent of Agriculture 

Navadhyaksha 

Superintendent of Ports 

Samshadhyaksha 

Supervisor of Markets 

Sulkadhyaksha 

Toll Collector 

Pautavadhyaksha

Superintendent of weight and measures 

Pradesika

Police officers 

Gopa 

Accountant 

Guddhapurushas 

Spies 

Yuktas 

Subordinate revenue officer 

Dharmasthiyas 

Civil Courts 

Kantakshodhanas 

Criminal Courts 

Srenis 

Guild 

Prashasti 

Prison Head

Padadhyaksha 

Superintendent of the infantry (foot soldiers) in the Mauryan military administration.

Rupadarshaka 

Inspector of coins 

Karamkaras

Wage Labour

Pranaya 

Emergency tax

Bali

Tax paid by villages, farmers, or subordinate rulers to the state, in cash or kind, to support the empire.

Agranomoi

Officials collecting land tax and managing land‑related matters such as land measurement, agricultural oversight, and rural administration. 

Sugata 

The well gone or one who has attained Nirvana. Buddha is called Sugata.

Tathagata 

The one who has realized the ultimate truth. Buddha is called Tathagata.

Arhat 

Victor / One who has attained Nirvana 

Bodhisattva 

A compassionate being who works for the enlightenment of all before attaining final Nirvana.

Parivrajaka 

A wandering monk or ascetic who renounces worldly life in search of spiritual truth.

Upasika

Lay follower of Buddhism 

Thirthankar 

Jain spiritual teacher who shows the path to liberation from worldly suffering. 

Aparigraha 

Non-possession / Non-attachment

Asteya 

Non-stealing

Sallekhan 

Ritual fasting unto death in Jain tradition 

Kevalya 

Complete spiritual liberation (in Jainism)

Nigrantha 

Free from all bonds 

Shravaka 

Lay follower of Jainism 

Bhaga 

Share of agricultural produce paid as land revenue (usually 1/6th)

Hiranya 

Tax paid in cash instead of produce

Sulka 

Customs duty or toll on trade and goods

Saulkika

Collector of customs and tolls 

Halivakara

Tax levied on ploughs or agricultural land

Klipta 

Fixed or assessed tax on land or produce

Bhukti 

Provinces 

Pradesha / Adhisthana

Districts 

Kutumbis and Mahattaras 

Village level officers 

Kumaramatya

High-ranking royal officer; often held important administrative or military posts.

Mahadandanayaka

Chief judicial or military officer; sometimes head of the army or justice system

Dandanayaka

Officer responsible for law and order or military duties

Mahasenapati

Commander-in-chief of the army.

Ayuktaka

Subordinate administrative officer at the district or local level

Vishayapati

Head of a Vishaya (district); main district administrator

Uparika

Provincial governor; in charge of a Bhukti (province).

Mahabaladhikrita

High military officer, often in charge of troops.

Dandapasika

Police or law-enforcement officer.

Dronvapa 

A measure of land area in the Gupta period; the amount of land that could be sown with one drona of seeds.

Kulyavapa 

A larger land measurement unit; the area of land that could be sown with one kulya of seeds.

Ayuktaka

A royal executive officer in the Gupta administration responsible for implementing orders and managing revenue at the local level.

Mahapratihara 

Chief of palace guards 

Pratihara

A royal official who served as a doorkeeper or chamberlain in the Gupta court, controlling access to the king.

Dutaka

Executor and notifier of land grant 

Brahmadeya 

Religious grants to brahmans during Guptas 

Devdana or Devagrahara 

Grants to institutions such as temples and monasteries 

Akshapataladhikrita

Keeper of royal records

Nagarasreshthin

Chairman of city corporations in towns 

Sarthvah

Represents trading community 

Mahasandhivigrahika 

Minister responsible for war, peace and foreign relations 

Dutakas

Spies 

Nishka 

Gold coin

Rupaka 

Silver coin 

Kakini, Kasharpan 

Copper coins

Khil

Infertile land 

Aprabata

Forested land 

Bedakbhog 

Irrigation tax 

Udakabhag 

Water Tax 

Uparnik

Tax from border areas 

Charasana

Grazing tax 

Chat 

Security tax

Bhatta

Police tax 

Bhog 

King’s share of produce 

Prataya

Toll tax 

Sangam 

An assembly of poets, scholars and literary figures

Kizhar 

A respected elder or headman of a village, usually a wealthy landowner belonging to the Velalar (agricultural) community.

Velir 

Regional chieftains ruling hilly and forest areas

Vendar

The crowned kings who ruled the fertile river valleys and core agricultural regions (Marudam land) of Tamilakam, especially the major dynasties — Chera, Chola, and Pandya.

Amaichar

Minister 

Senathipathi

Army chief 

Anthanar

Priest 

Thuthar 

Messenger or envoy, sent to convey royal messages or conduct diplomacy.

Otrar 

Spy

Karai 

Land tax

Ulgu 

Customs 

Irai 

Tax or tribute paid to the king.

Variyar

Tax Collector 

Vellalar

Agriculturists 

Vanigar

Traders 

Kadaisiyar / Adimai 

Labourers 

Aniars 

Hunters 

Malvar 

Thieves 

Ur

Village 

Nadu 

Group of villages 

Panam 

Coin / money 

Pon 

Gold coin 

Pattinam 

Port Town