Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c47.54

c47.54

"Even a *Sārvabhauma* sovereign has no proprietory right in "it (*Mahā-pṛithivī* = Great Land). For even conquest "produces proprietory right only in the "personal property, house, fields, etc. of "the enemy. In the *Mahāpṛithivī* (Great Land) "however, as the right is only of "government what is acquired by conquest "is merely government which is limited "to protection and growth of the country "and eradication of evil (therefrom) and for "that purpose to the realization of taxes "from cultivators and of fines from "offenders. *In the land there arises no right of any other* "*kind.*.........House, fields, etc. acquired by purchase and "the like, may however become a subject of gift."