Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c7.73

c7.73

Foreign policy, diplomacy and warfare are treated together by Manu. Here he enunciates no ethical principles but deals with the whole matter on the plane of expediency. He fully recognises the importance of ambassadors in the delicate negotiations that were always in progress among the numberless states. As a general rule, a king should look upon his immediate neighbour together with his partisan as a foe, upon the latter's immediate neighbour as his friend and on the king beyond these two as neutral. By force or diplomacy, by conciliation or gifts, he should try to impose his suzerainty on all. As the occasion demanded, he should yield or go ahead, make peace or alliances. Royal policy consists of six measures—, alliance, war, marching, halting, dividing the army and seeking protection. These are divided and sub-divided by Manu. He embarks on a long and rather amateurish discussion of military manoeuvres, seasons and modes of campaigning, formation of military ranks, etc., etc. He permits the devastation of hostile territory. When a king has shut up his foe in a town, “let him sit encamped, harass his kingdom, and continually spoil his grass, food, fuel and water. Likewise, let him destroy the tanks, ramparts and ditches.” It was almost the duty of a king to sow dissensions in the ranks of his enemies.