The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c10.61

c10.61

Sometimes there were glorious wrestling matches. Once we read, “the wrestling ring was prepared in front of the king’s gate; there was an enclosure for the games, the ring was decked out gaily, the flags of victory were ready tied. The whole city was in a whirl; line over line rose above the seats, tier above tier” (IV, 81). A musical scene is thus described: “At the palace door a pavilion was set up, and a throne was set apart for the king. He came down from the palace, and took his seat upon the divan in the gay pavilion. All around him were thousands of slaves, women beauteously apparelled, courtiers, Brāhmaṇas, citizens. All the people of the town had come together. In the courtyard they were fixing the seats circle on circle, tier above tier . . .” (II, 253). Kings are seen going to the park surrounded by dancers (III, 40). As usual they are fond of hunting (III, 325). The fortnightly fast seems to have been the occasion of great festivity. The place of meeting is decorated; king, viceroys and others listen to discourses (III, 342). The king sometimes holds wine orgies (V, 13 et seq) There were gorgeous elephant festivals (V, 282 et seq.)