The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c11.39

c11.39

The clan-oligarchies covered a very small part of the northern fringe. The plains for the most part were ruled by monarchs. One of the most powerful kingdoms in the time of the Buddha was that of Kośala which stretched from Nepâl to Prayâga on the confluence of the Ganges and the Jumnâ. It does not seem to have been a unitary state. The Śākyas are mentioned as a feudatory community acknowledging the overlordship of king Pasenadi.¹ The relations of the Śākyas with the Kośala king are well indicated in a passage in the Dialogues of the Buddha, where the great teacher remarks that "the respect which Pasenadi receives from the Śākyas is shown by him towards me."² None the less, the Śākyas retained their pride of birth and disdained to give a daughter of their house to the suzerain's family.³ Elsewhere Pasenadi is said to be the head of a group of five Rājas.⁴ Here is an unmistakable indication of feudalism. Pasenadi is said to have been educated at Takkasilā. He appreciated the teachings of the Buddha and built a Saddhamma Mahāsālā, a great hall of the Dhamma, for him. None the less he practised perfect religious toleration.⁵ There is an interesting Jātaka tradition (IV, 152) that once during his absence from the capital to visit the Buddha, Pasenadi left the administration in charge of a minister who proclaimed his deposition and installed his son, Viḍuḍābha, on the throne.