War in Ancient India c5.s2.103

c5.s2.103

Some of these rules are borne out by the inscriptions. Different cases of dealing with the conquered kings are mentioned in the Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudragupta. It is said that the Dakṣiṇāpatha rulers who were captured in his wars, were set free and the Āṭavika kings were admitted to the service of the conqueror. The sāmanta chieftains, on the other hand, expressed their willingness to accept the emperor’s overlordship by agreeing to pay him tribute.¹⁰⁵ It is thus seen that as far as possible the internal system of administration and the various social institutions of the subjugated lands were left undisturbed. The conqueror, in most cases, was satisfied with the acknowledgment of his overlordship and did not trouble himself so long as his sovereignty was not challenged.¹⁰⁶