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The Mauryan Polity c9.s2.t4: Alliances and Treaties

The Mauryan Polity c9.s2.t4

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Alliances and Treaties

c9.s2.t4.1

Mention has already been made that the ambassadors played a prominent part in effecting political combinations and peace negotiations. Let us now examine the nature and kinds of alliances contracted between the different states. The alliances were both offensive and defensive in character. The motive and time for such alliances are examined in *extenso* in the *Kauṭalīya*. These alliances were sometimes voluntary (*pratibhūḥ*) and sometimes effected by purchase (*pratigraha*). The former contained elements of permanence (*sthira*) and the latter elements of impermanence (*cala*).³

c9.s2.t4.2

³ *Ar. Śās.*, Bk. VII, ch. 17.

c9.s2.t4.3

Alliances are again definite (*paripaṇita*) and indefinite (*aparipaṇita*).⁴ The former are to be effected according to the place (*deśa*), time (*kāla*), and purpose in view (*artha*). Five kinds of agreements are mentioned. These are to win an ally (*mitra-sandhi*),¹ to acquire wealth (*hiraṇya-sandhi*),² to acquire territory (*bhūmi-sandhi*),³ to achieve some specific purpose (*karma-sandhi*),⁴ and lastly the agreement contracted with no determined aim (*anavasita-sandhi*).⁵ Kauṭalya next explains under what conditions these alliances are to be effected. First, when the king feels his inability to march against the enemy, he must ally himself with equals, inferiors, or superiors.⁶ Secondly, alliance is generally made with one who is more powerful than the enemy.⁷ Thirdly, if a powerful ally is not available the king should try to win the goodwill of his neighbours.⁸ Fourthly, a king between two strong powers must ally himself with the stronger of the two, or with both, or with a neutral.⁹

c9.s2.t4.4

⁴ *Ibid.*, ch. 6.

c9.s2.t4.5

¹ *Ibid.*, ch. 9.

c9.s2.t4.6

² *Ibid.*, ch. 10.

c9.s2.t4.7

³ *Ibid.*, ch. 12.

c9.s2.t4.8

⁴ *Ibid.*, ch. 11.

c9.s2.t4.9

⁵ *samahīnajyāyobhissāmavāyikaiḥ sambhūya yāyāt*—*Ar. Śās.* Bk. VII, ch. 4.

c9.s2.t4.10

⁶ *yatbalaḥ sāmantaḥ tadviśiṣṭabalamāśrayeta*—*Ibid.*, ch. 2.

c9.s2.t4.11

⁷ *tādviśiṣṭabalābhāve tamevāśritaḥ*—*Ibid.*

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⁸ *balīyasorvā antardhisyāt; ubhau vā kapālasamśrayastiṣṭet*—*Ibid.*

c9.s2.t4.13

⁹ *saktihīnasamśrayeta* *Ibid.*, ch. 1.

c9.s2.t4.14

Lastly, coalition is recommended for the king devoid of strength.¹⁰ Coming to practical politics, according to Justin, Candragupta defeated the Nandas with the help of a lion and an elephant identified with the King of Simhāpura in Rājputana, and the Gajapati King of Kaliṅga.¹¹

c9.s2.t4.15

¹⁰ *McCrindle, Invasion of Alexander the Great*, pp. 327-28. See S. V. Visvanātha, *International Law in Ancient India*, p. 95 and S. V. Veṅkateśvara in *Ind. Ant.*, 1916, p. 30.

c9.s2.t4.16

Three kinds of treaties are mentioned *sama* or equal, *viṣama* or unequal, and *hīna*, inferior.¹ Other forms of peace were not unknown. The following three *ātmāmiṣa*, *puruṣāntara* and *adṛṣṭapuruṣa* entailed supply of army and the giving of a woman of high rank as a hostage. Peace on payment of money was of four kinds: *parikraya*, *upagraha*, *suvarṇasandhi* and *kapāla*. Other treaties were concluded on payment of raw materials and by ceding territory.²

c9.s2.t4.17

¹ Bk. VII, ch. 3.

c9.s2.t4.18

² Ibid.

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