Public Administration in Ancient India c17.20

c17.20

¹ That this policy actually governed the actions of statesmen for long ages is shown by the fact that Abul Fazl, writing in the sixteenth century, speaks of the foreign policy of the Hindus in the following terms: “With those princes who are his equals in power, he takes care to maintain peace and friendship, and from those who are weaker than himself he exacts tribute. If any monarch is more powerful than himself, he continually strives to sow dissension among his troops; and if he is not able to do this, prudently purchases his friendship.” Ayeen-i-Akbery (Gladwin), p. 495.