The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c13.69

c13.69

There is a legend that Kaniṣka, advised by a minister named Mâthar, conquered many regions. When he proposed to complete his “universal conquest” by the subjugation of the North, the king’s people said, “the king is greedy, cruel and unreasonable; his campaigns and continued conquests have wearied the mass of his servants. He knows not how to be content, but wants to reign over the four quarters. The garrisons are stationed on distant frontiers and our relatives are far from us. Such being the situation, we must agree among ourselves, and get rid of him. After that we may be happy.” As he was ill, they covered him with a quilt, a man sat on top of him and the king died on the spot.¹ The death of Kaniṣka occurred probably about 160 A.D. His successors lingered into the third century A.D.