[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897) › c11.25 # The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c11.25 The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c11.25 - **Language:** English ### [c11.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11.25) Frequent wars seem, even in the period described in the Jâtakas, to give the king an opportunity to exercise his duty as protector of the people. It is true he is no more the robber and plunderer, as the oldest epic narrative depicts,¹ who earns his livelihood by plundering expeditions; he lives no more permanently in the borders of his land, always ready to fall upon his neighbour, but lives with his court in a fortified town in the centre of his territory supported by regular taxes from the people. The people live in peace in their new residences and have the frontiers strongly protected; gradually, with growing civilization there come other interests into the foreground as the king's cares: the land is made fertile, cities are built, trade and commerce flourish. Nevertheless, there is no lack of warlike expeditions which are caused partly by the quarrels of the neighbouring kingdoms—as between Kosala and Kâsi (I. 262, 409)—but mostly by the rebellions of the intermediate bordering tribes. Of such insurrections we read very often (1. 437; II. 74); the aboriginal tribes driven into the mountains and probably subjugated only in name, gave the Aryan invaders surely much to do. Not always the troops stationed in the frontiers (paccante ṭhitayodhâ) are sufficient to quell the rebellion. After fighting several battles with the rebels, as narrated in the Bandhana-mokkha Jâtaka (who are called corá robbers), they send information to the king that they cannot carry on the war. Then the king collects an army (balakâyaṃ saṃharitvâ, I. 437) and takes the field. - [Previous: c11.24](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11.24) - [Next: c11.26](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11.26) - [Up: c11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11) ## Linked texts (1) - [Jātaka](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.theravada.sp.khuddaka.jataka.50) — Pāli --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11.25) · Pramāṇa