Ratnins
Topic: The Vedic Age · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The ratnins ("holders of jewels") were the top officials and household members of a later Vedic king. They included the senānī (army chief), the purohita (royal priest), the mahiṣhī (chief queen), the sūta (charioteer or court bard), the grāmaṇī (village headman) and the treasurer and tax collector. Their place in the rājasūya shows that a set group of officials had formed around the king. This was an early step towards a proper government.
Example
In the ratnahavīṁṣhi part of the rājasūya, described in the Śhatapatha Brāhmaṇa, the king went to each ratnin's house and made an offering there. In this way he won their support for his rule.
Don't confuse with
- Sabhā and samiti: these were assemblies of the people or of select elites. The ratnins were individual officials who served the king.