Hindu Administrative Institutions c7.s5.7

c7.s5.7

It requires no stretch of imagination then to infer that the *mahābhiṣeka* ceremony was intended only for a ruler who has attained pre-eminence by his world-conquest and who is emperor in the literal sense of the term. We use this phrase advisedly. Prof. Keith says:— ‘The political references do not hint at any great kingdoms but at a large number of petty princes who despite their titles and claims to sovereignty were doubtless rulers of limited portions of territory. The social conditions are in full accord with this view nor does it seem possible with Weber to see the conception of a real empire in the great consecration of Indra in the *Aitareya*.’² Now the *Aitareya* does not merely mention the theoretical system but refers to the names of several emperors who have had in the past such honour of this great consecration of Indra. To mention a few would not be out of place here.