Question

who were the samanatas

Answer 1

Samanta was a title and position used by the army people of Kings. The institution of Samanta finds mention for the first time in epigraphs of northern India dating to the 6th century.[1] The institution is considered to belong properly to the Gupta Empire[2] and is closely associated with the origin and growth of feudalism in India.

Answer 2

the king often gave his officials land grants instead of cash salaries those who received such lands became the king feudatories also known as samantas