Inscriptions and other literary records indicate the Rashtrakutas selected the crown prince based on heredity. The crown did not always pass on to the eldest son. Abilities were considered more important than age and chronology of birth, as exemplified by the crowning of Govinda III who was the third son of king Dhruva Dharavarsha. The most important position under the king was the Chief Minister ("Mahasandhivigrahi") whose position came with five insignia commensurate with his position namely, a flag, a conch, a fan, a white umbrella, a large drum and five musical instruments called "Panchamahashabdas". Under him was the commander ("Dandanayaka"), the foreign minister ("Mahakshapataladhikrita") and a prime minister ("Mahamatya" or "Purnamathya"), all of whom were usually associated with one of the feudatory kings and must have held a position in government equivalent to a premier. A "Mahasamantha" was a feudatory or higher ranking regal officer. All cabinet ministers were well versed in political science ("Rajneeti") and possessed military training. There were cases where women supervised significant areas as when Revakanimaddi, daughter of Amoghavarsha I, administered Edathore "Vishaya".