The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c21.4

c21.4

But during this long period India remained free from the ravages of foreign invasions, and owing to the solidity of the Indo-Aryan social fabric these constant local wars probably affected the economic condition of the country far less than might be supposed. Fighting was the business of the Kshatriya caste alone, and when there was no vital national interest at stake, the wars which were the outcome of dynastic jealousies were only gladiatorial contests on a large scale in which none but the combatants and their relatives were deeply interested. The other three castes, Brahmans, Vaisyas, and Sudras, went on with their respective occupations as philosophers, traders, and husbandmen, and looked for protection from the winners in the game, whoever they might be. The description given by Megasthenes of men ploughing and digging the soil in perfect security, while close at hand armies in battle array were fighting desperately, may seem highly coloured, but it gives an insight into social conditions which prevailed in India under the caste system for many centuries after the time of Chandragupta.