History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v1.c11.11

v1.c11.11

Under such a view, kingdoms and even empires could not have any vitality. Harsha's empire fell to pieces, immediately his strong arm was removed from the administration. The subject kingdoms immediately became independent while Kanauj itself fell into disorder, Harsha having left no son. For in such a state of political views not only the virtue of patriotism cannot be fostered, but the contrary vice namely treason cannot but have ample scope to flourish. Every ambitious person who can by force or treachery seize the throne has the assurance that the people's allegiance will be transferred to him as a matter of course. The people having no voice in the matter or rather believing that they had no voice were naturally held of no account in such revolutions and the successful usurper was always accepted without demur. Traitors were, therefore, not uncommon. The punishment for unsuccessful rebellion or treachery was indeed drastic, then as now, traitors being imprisoned for life and 'dead or alive nobody took any account of them' as Hiuen Tsang observes. But such drastic punishment did not deter ambitious and bold persons, especially as success was not very difficult when opportunities offered. These revolutions or rebellions were never of the people but of a few individuals only. Ministers and commanders-in-chief, were generally the usurpers in such revolutions and they were usually successful whenever the reigning king died without issue, or was an incapable person. Such has indeed been the trend of Indian history from the days of the Śungas down to the days of the Peshwas and their lieutenants, even throughout the Mahomedan times. Had the people had a proper conception of their duties as citizens of a state they would not have tolerated such revolutions nor would the ministers have dared to seize thrones. Only since the establishment of the British rule are we getting accustomed to the sight of ministers never aspiring to place themselves in the position of their masters.