Meaning of the term Gaulmika used during Satavahana Empire
During the Satavahana Empire, the term “Gaulmika” referred to a type of land grant that was made by the king to individuals or institutions as a reward for their service or loyalty to the kingdom. The word “Gaulmika” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Gaulma,” which means “pasture land.”
The Gaulmika land grants were typically made to Brahmins or other high-caste individuals who had rendered valuable services to the kingdom, such as performing religious rites or providing advice to the king. The grants were also made to religious institutions, such as temples or monasteries, as a means of supporting their activities and promoting the spread of religion.
The Gaulmika grants were usually made in the form of agricultural land, although they could also include other types of land, such as pasture land or forests. The grantee was expected to cultivate the land and pay a portion of the produce as rent to the king or his representatives.
The Gaulmika land grants were considered to be a form of royal patronage, and they played an important role in the social and economic life of the kingdom. They helped to promote the growth of agriculture and provided a means of support for religious institutions and scholars.
Overall, the Gaulmika land grants were an important feature of the Satavahana Empire’s administrative and social structure, and they helped to reinforce the ties between the king and his subjects while promoting economic and religious growth in the kingdom.