The King and the Mandalikas
Kakatiyas tried to introduce a new type of polity other than imperialism. The subordinate chiefs were allowed to have their freedom in all respects except foreign matters. The only care they took was to check their overgrowth of power. Appointed officers were there throughout the kingdom.
Reasons for this conclusion were:
- Their original prasasti contained simple title which have no significance and there was no consistency in them. The only title they retained throughout was Mahamandaleswara.
- They did not exert any sovereignty over the subordinate kings. They treated them as co-rulers.
- They respected the local traditions in the conquered areas.
The People and the Government (Local Self Government)
Samayas
On the basis of the numerous inscriptions, it is unequivocally proved that the society in the period under study led a corporate life. The usual way of representing people in general is by mentioning them as ashtadasa-praja, that is eighteen sects of people, a comprehensive term covering the whole society. The eighteen sects, according to a copper plate inscription of the late Vijayanagara period were:
- Brahmana
- Kshatriya
- Vaisya
- Sudra
- Vyavaharikas (Officers)
- Pamchala (Smiths and Carpenter)
- Kumbhalika (Potter)
- Tantuvaya (Weaver)
- Vastrabhedaka (Dyers)
- Tilaghataka (Oil Mongers)
- Kurantaka (Pariyas)
- Vastra-Rakshaka (Sewers of Cloth)
- Devamga (Spinners)
- Perika (Transporters of Goods by Pack Loads)
- Go-Rakshaka (Cowherd)
- Kirata (Hunters)
- Rajaka (Washerman)
- Kshauraka (Barber)
All these eighteen castes used to organize their communal associations, particularly to look after the well-being of their individuals. They are called samayas. They were internally governed by their own laws and customs called samayachara.