Hindu Administrative Institutions c11.s3.49

c11.s3.49

Tamil literature presents quite a contrast to the above recommendations. The treatment meted out to the conquered was far from humane. Often the defeated king was captured and put to death. Quite against the ruling of Kātyāyana the capital city was given to the flames or razed to the ground, and plundered of all wealth and treasure. The Puranānūru shows how at the conclusion of the war the victorious soldiers quenched the thirst of their vengeance by ploughing the roads and streets with asses and donkeys and sowing seeds of castor, cotton and other cereals. It is said even the houses of gods were not spared.¹