Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c47.41

c47.41

"taxes, the conqueror acquires that "much right, and no ownership. Hence 'by "'an emperor the whole country and by a provincial ruler the "'province *is not a deya* (a 'subject of gift')' is laid down in "Book VI (of the P. Mīmāṃsā). Proprietory right in the whole "land with regard to villages and lands etc., lies in their "respective land-lords etc. The king's right is "limited to the collection of tax there- "from. Therefore what is technically called at present 'gift "of land' etc. (by the king) does not mean giving away of "land, but a mere creation of allowance. If house, land "etc., are bought from the owner (by the "king) proprietorship indeed can arise."¹