The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c13.s1.36

c13.s1.36

The traditional system clearly expresses that the king’s rights in the soil are inextricably enmeshed with those of the other members of the community. It certainly was an equitable system in that each received a share according to his place in the community, but it did not leave the king much freedom for mobilizing resources. He would have to upset the delicate balance forcibly—a thing that he could only manage safely if he had already concentrated sufficient power in his hands to face the consequences of serious disturbances. Kauṭilya shows himself keenly aware of this when he advises the king, as we saw, to be content with even a small revenue.