Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c8.19

c8.19

On the deeper problems of political theory Kautalya has little that is original. He merely adopts the conclusions and dogmas of his predecessors. It is always in systematisation and clarification that his chief contribution consists. In the course of an apparently incidental dialogue, we are told that the state originated when people got weary of the Logic of the Fish. They selected Manu to be king. It was settled that the king should receive one-sixth of the grain, and one-tenth of the merchandise and of the gold, as his due. It was this revenue which made it possible for the king to ensure the security and prosperity of his subjects. It must be remembered that the king was bound to protect the people and promote their welfare.¹ Kautalya freely concedes the possibility of republican polity. He even admits that a corporation of clans is invincible in its nature, and enjoys permanent existence.² But it appears that when he composed his *magnum opus*, the republics were a thing of the past. The monarchical principle reigned supreme. Kautalya’s whole outlook, tone, and trend of thought are monarchical.