[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) › c11.65 # The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c11.65 The Social Organisation in North-East India in Buddha's Time c11.65 - **Language:** English ### [c11.65](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11.65) In the Vedic age, the kingdom devolved either directly upon the eldest son of the king, or the new king was elected by the people.¹ The first case is what generally occurs even in the period described in the Jâtakas. Kingship was hereditary in the family (\*kulasantakam rajjam\*, I. 395; II. 116; IV. 124) and indeed, when there were several sons, it was the eldest who succeeded his father on the throne (I. 127; II. 87, 212), whilst the second son became the Viceroy (\*uparâjan\*). As a rule, only the sons of the eldest queen (\*aggamahesî\*), who must be of the same caste as the king and thus a \*Khattiyâ\*, seem to be legitimate; yet there are instances which make it probable that this legitimacy was not always considered a \*conditio sine qua non\* of succession. In the already-quoted Kaṭṭhahâri Jâtaka the king makes the son born of a wood-gatherer (Kaṭṭhahâri) the Viceroy (uparâjan) and after the death of his father, the latter succeeded to the throne. - [Previous: c11.64](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11.64) - [Next: c11.66](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11.66) - [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.6) — Pāli --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11.65](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.fick-1897.c11.65) · Pramāṇa