State and Government in Ancient India c8.s1.1

c8.s1.1

In ancient India the political science was known by several terms like the Rājādharma, Rājyaśāstra, Daṇḍanīti Nītiśāstra and Arthaśāstra. Some of these terms like the Rājādharma¹ ‘Duties of the king’ and Rājyaśāstra², ‘Science of the state’ require no explanation. Monarchy was the normal form of the state and the science of politics and government was therefore naturally called Rājādharma or Rājyaśāstra. The term Daṇḍanīti also is self-explanatory. Like many thinkers of the modern time, some Indian writers like Manu held that the ultimate sanction behind the state is force. If it is not used, the alternative is the law of the jungle (*mātsyanyāya*). It is Daṇḍa (physical force or physical punishment) which rules over all the subjects, it is Daṇḍa which protects them; when all else are sleeping, Daṇḍa keeps awake; law is nothing but Daṇḍa itself.³ Daṇḍa, however, must be wielded with discretion. If it is used too harshly, the subjects are distressed; if it is used too lightly, the king will not be held in awe; if it is used in the proper manner,⁴ the subjects are happy and the realm progresses.