State and Government in Ancient India c12.s8.1

c12.s8.1

There is thus no doubt that ancient Indian thinkers regarded him only as the ideal king, whose life was dedicated to service and welfare of his people. Human nature being what it is, the average king, however, was not likely to follow the ideal with a firm will and determination. What steps were devised to protect the people from the whims and caprices of a tyrannical king ? What checks were contemplated upon the royal power, if it tended to become unjust and oppressive ?