Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c41.94

c41.94

§ 272. The Paura-Jānapada demanded and obtained anugrahas or 'privileges'. Khāravela in his inscription says that he granted numerous anugrahas in a particular year to the Paura and to the Jānapada. According to Kauṭilya the Paura-Jānapada (leaders) of an enemy country should be advised by secret agents 'to demand anugrahas from the king' when there be famine, thefts, and raids by the Aṭavīs (buffers of wild tribes). This is to be read along with Yājñavalkya II., 36¹ which enjoins that the king must pay "to the Jānapada" (in the singular) compensation for loss caused by thieves (see also § 281). The Paura-Jānapada should couple their demand, according to Kauṭilya, with the threat of migration to the enemy's country in case the demand was not allowed.²