War in Ancient India c4.s6.t7.7

c4.s6.t7.7

The terms empire and imperial sway, as I have explained elsewhere,⁵⁸ do not connote the meaning by which we understand these terms to-day. The Roman Empire meant the gradual extension of Roman citizenship and Roman law and the spread of the Latin tongue. The British Commonwealth means the establishment of British methods of law and order, the use of the English language for purposes of administration, and the development of British democratic institutions. Imperial sway in ancient India meant the active rule of an individual monarch who by his ability and prowess brought to subjection the neighbouring chieftains and other rulers, and proclaimed himself the sole ruler of the earth. This goes by the name of *digvijaya*. It is not necessary that he should conquer all States by the sword. A small State might feel the weight of a conquering king and render obeisance of its own accord. Whether this willing subordination is sincere or feigned, open or veiled, the fact is that it is there. The acknowledgment of overlordship of a certain monarch or the willing acquiescence of lesser powers to a greater power invests the greater power with the halo of imperialism.