The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c14.204

c14.204

The little that this treatise of six short chapters has to say pertains mostly to theory. It is remarkable that it unequivocally declares that the precepts of religion are not to be followed when they are opposed to usage.¹ Right is not to be practised by the king if it is disapproved by the world.² The king should keep his wives, relations, friends, counsellors and dependents well in hand. All sorts of means might be employed for the purpose—conciliation, gifts and diplomacy, that is, a policy of divide and rule.³ An effort should be made to arrive at unanimity in the council-chamber.⁴ Youth is declared a disqualification for the delicate office of counsellor.⁵