Ṭhakkura

Abstract

This article intends to provide an extensive study of ṭhakkura, whose emergence as feudatory chief in early medieval northern India is well attested from sources. Based on the evidence of Sanskrit literary texts and inscriptions, it focuses upon the obligations of this class of landholders towards the state and overlord. In return of the services rendered by him, a ṭhakkura was provided with the grants of land and villages either by the king or the respective overlord. His position as sub-vassal under important Rajput clans in northern India is also established from contemporary inscriptional records. The Brahman ṭhakkuras, who are mentioned in the inscriptions with their gotras and pravaras, received unconditional grants of land and villages for the acquisition of spiritual merit on special occasions and holy dates ( tithis). The functions of ṭhakkura chiefs as holders of villages or land are also being highlighted in the present paper. The local village assembly consisting of panchkula or mahājans maintained the account of the activities of ṭhakkuras and also imposed some restrictions on them. Besides serving as military chief, which was the foremost duty of a ṭhakkura, he was also appointed on various official and unofficial posts. The conferment of the title ṭhakkura in some cases to the persons who already held the titles like rānaka, rājputra and rāuta naturally strengthened the position of ṭhakkura title holders in the feudal hierarchy. The evidence regarding their role as traders in Gujarat is however scarce. On account of the significant position held by a ṭhakkura, his sons and grandsons often inherited his rank and office. With the liquidation of feudal order, many of these ṭhakkuras lost their earlier holdings. They were confined as petty bhomiās in most parts of western Marwar in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.