[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [State and Government in Ancient India](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949) › c10.s2.2 # State and Government in Ancient India c10.s2.2 State and Government in Ancient India c10.s2.2 - **Language:** English ### [c10.s2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c10.s2.2) Faint echoes of a similar conflict between the king and the church can be heard in the early Indian literature. \*Gautama-Dharmasūtra\* (\*c.\* 500 B. C.) claims that the royal authority does not touch the priest¹ and reminds the king that he can prosper only if supported by the latter. If he does not employ a qualified Brāhmaṇa priest, says the \*Aitareya Brāhmaṇa\*,² gods will not at all accept his oblations. At the time of the coronation, the king three times bows before the Brāhmaṇa ; he thereby accepts his subordinate position, and as long as he does so, he will prosper.³ Priests like Vasishṭha exercised profound influence of the royal court. Rituals were also devised to ensure the subordination of the Kshatriyas and the Vaiśyas to the Brāhmaṇas.⁴ In the \*Ṛigveda\* there is a clear passage to show that a king, who honoured his chaplain properly, could secure an easy mastery over his subjects and a smashing defeat over his enemies.⁵ In Europe the Pope claimed the right to confirm the election of the emperor made by the nobles ; we do not know whether such a right was advanced in ancient India. - [Previous: c10.s2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c10.s2.1) - [Next: c10.s2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c10.s2.3) - [Up: c10.s2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c10.s2) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c10.s2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.altekar-1949.c10.s2.2) · Pramāṇa