Public Administration in Ancient India c10.53

c10.53

The powers of the King were limited. The idea of an autocratic (svatantra) ruler was not very congenial to the Hindu mind. An eminent writer on legal philosophy remarks: "Among the Āryan peoples there has never arisen that despotism which blots out man as in Egypt, Babylon, China, and among the Mussulman and Tartar tribes—or if it has appeared it has not been of long duration." ¹ This remark is as true of the Āryan people of India as of the Āryan races of the west. The King in India was never regarded as being "above the law." ²