The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India c5.s1.2

c5.s1.2

The beginnings of the institution of kingship are obscure. Anatole France attempts to trace it in his *Penguin Island*, a readable satire on (British) history and society. That is more or less what he writes: Early in the beginning of civilization, the peoples primary concern was provision of security against depredations of robbers and ravages of wild animals. So they assembled at a place to find a remedy to this problem. They put their heads together and arrived at a consensus. They will raise a team of security guards who will work under the command of a superior. These will be paid from contributions made by the people. As the assembled were still deliberating on the issue, a strong, well-built young man stood up. He declared he would collect the said contributions (later called taxes), and in return provide security. Noticing his physical prowess and threatening demeanour they all nodded their assent. Nobody dared protest. And so the king was born.