The Sultanate of Delhi, 711–1526 A.D. c7.s2.1

c7.s2.1

*Kingship* : The only form of government known to our ancestors of the seventh and the eighth centuries A.D. was monarchy. Ancient republics of the early Buddhist times had completely disappeared. Kingship was generally hereditary. Usually the king nominated his successor, who was in most cases his eldest son. Election was however, not altogether unknown. Gopala, the founder of the famous Pala dynasty of Bangal, was elected by the notable political elements of that province in the first half of the eighth century A.D., and the Pallava King, Nandi Varman Pallavamalla of Kanchi in southern India, was similarly elected at about the same time. At a time of crisis the choice of a monarch was entrusted to a select body of nobles or Brahmans or both. Many such cases of selection by notables are on record, the most important among them being that of the great Harshavardhan of Thaneshwar and Kanauj who was chosen by a council of nobles to fill the vacant throne of his late brother, Rajyavardhan. Females were not debarred from succession to the royal throne, and there had been women rulers, specially in Kashmir, Orissa and some parts of southern India.