The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c14.78

c14.78

On these matters as on so many others Viṣṇu reads like an echo of Manu. The old dynasty of a conquered country should be maintained, unless it is of ignoble descent. So far as possible, a conqueror should invest a prince of the same line with the ‘royal’ dignity.² In his scheme of foreign policy as in domestic administration spies play an important part.³