Pre-Buddhist India: A Political, Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey of Ancient India Based Mainly on the Jataka Stories c4.17

c4.17

Frequent struggles between neighbouring states we have already noticed. Political developments in one kingdom were naturally keenly watched by its neighbour. Every opportunity was taken advantage of. If only a king was weak—as was Mahāsīlava⁴—or in some natural or temporary disadvantage,⁵ his neighbour was at once at the gates of the capital. Numerous references show that the dismissed servant—usually the minister—of one state was warmly received by the rival neighbour. These persons very often, as is natural, “proved to be a source of incalculable mischief and injury to the kingdoms which they had once served.”⁶ Various other diplomatic tactics were in force. Secret agencies (upanikkhittapurisā) were posted in distant countries to watch and report the military preparations there carried on or even the hostile intentions confided by a foreign prince to his most trusted minister. A graphic picture of this is furnished by the Mahāummagga Jātaka,⁷ where we hear the report sent by a secret agent to his Master at Mithilā from the capital of King Saṃkhapāla. It was generally on the basis of such reports that the enemy planned his attack with care and dexterity. It was in this way, for instance, that when a king of Kampilla invaded Mithilā, his agent secretly entered the city by its postern gate, inspite of all vigilant manouvering of the Videha Minister and successfully carried all sorts of useful news to their Master outside.⁸