State and Government in Ancient India c22.s1.3

c22.s1.3

In the Aryan society kingship had evolved from the institution of the joint family, and like the head of the latter, it was usually hereditary. We have definite evidence upon the point in the *Ṛigveda*, where in some cases we can trace the line of succession for four generations; *e. g.* Vadhryaśva, Divodāsa, Pijanava and Sudās; Durgahaṇa, Girikshit, Purukutsa and Trasadasyu. There are a few traces of kingship being elective also; one passage in the *Ṛigveda* refers to *viśas* electing the king.¹ These cases however were rather the exception than the rule.