Sandhivigrahika
Also called: Minister of peace and war · Topic: Gupta Empire and the Classical Age · NCERT: Class 9, Ch 5 "State and Society up to 1000 CE"
Meaning
The sandhivigrahika was the "minister of peace and war" in Gupta government. Sandhi means peace or treaty, and vigraha means war. He managed relations with other kings: making treaties, declaring war and handling alliances. This post was a new idea introduced by the Guptas. It suited an empire that spread its power through tributary kings (defeated kings who paid regular tribute) and alliances as well as through conquest.
Example
Harisena, court poet of Samudragupta (c. 335–375 CE), held the office of sandhivigrahika. His Prayaga Prashasti records how many defeated kings, such as the Pallavas and Kamarupa, were given back their thrones as tribute-payers. This was the kind of work a minister of peace and war handled.
Don't confuse with
- Mantri: the chief minister, who headed civil administration (the day-to-day running of the state). The sandhivigrahika dealt only with foreign relations, war and peace.