Hindu Administrative Institutions c11.s9.30

c11.s9.30

Yet another occasion for war is political. When the kings of neighbouring states, dependent or independent become refractory and prove recalcitrant to the conquering monarch, the latter generally embarks on an expedition to reduce such chieftains and get possession of their kingdoms. The king rides on his chariot in an auspicious time fixed by astrologers and soothsayers. After the victory worship is offered in the temples and presents are given to the *śrotriyas* while the soldiers who contributed to the success are endowed with cultivable lands.¹ Neduṁśeḷiyan II embarked on war to repel the attacks of his neighbours who invaded his territory to conquer it.² The failure to pay tribute by vassal chieftains as in the case of the battle of Kalingam described in the *Kalingattuparani* was the basis of many a war that was fought in ancient India. Thus it is apparent that the aims of war and the causes which precipitated the conflagration were many and the ancient Indians of both North and South India showed themselves ready for the emergency.