State and Government in Ancient India c12.s10.4

c12.s10.4

Bards and musicians occupied their allotted places and announced the entry of the king and chanted the songs describing his exploits. The royal procession was headed by the king; queens followed seated in their palanquins. Then came princes of the blood royal, ministers and high officials. These were followed by feudatories, heads of departments and such provincial governors, and officials who were in the capital on duty. When every body was properly seated, defeated kings were summoned; they had to prostrate themselves first and were then allotted suitable seats. It is possible that the above plan may not have been followed in its exact details everywhere; but it will give the reader an idea of the royal pomp and pageantry during the first millennium of the Christan era.