The Ancient and Medieval Architecture of India: A Study of Indo-Aryan Civilisation c6.13

c6.13

There were two things which most impressed the Greek Megasthenes in what he learnt of Indian politics as ambassador at the Court of Chandragupta Maurya—first, that "it was a great thing in India that all Indians were free," and, secondly, that the power of Indian kings was restrained by the "Five Great Assemblies" of the people. Taking into consideration that the Indian franchise was the franchise of intellect, not of wealth or physical force, and that it was limited to those who wore the sacred thread, *i.e.* the three highest castes and skilled craftsmen attached to the temple service, India, down to the time of Aurangzîb, probably enjoyed as much political liberty as any European country before the eighteenth century. Evidently the Indian system of serfdom seemed to Megasthenes like freedom compared with the helotage of Greece, and at its worst it may be questioned whether it was more cruel and tyrannical than the feudal system of Europe.