The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c17.12.6

c17.12.6

In their very childhood the Princes Rājyavardhana and Harṣavardhana are given the sonsof the ‘king’ of Mâlwâ as their companions.¹ A little later, we are told that the eyes of “all kings” fell on the Imperial princess Râjyaśrî and that they sent envoys to request her hand.² Here independent sovereigns are certainly meant but by implication the great feudatories are also included in the expression ‘all kings.’ The marriage of the princess was attended by many “kings” and “queens.”³ There is a clearer reference to feudatories when we are told that ‘kings’ decorated the palace, polished mosaic flowers, erected posts, etc., and that their “queens” enlivened the occasion by their songs.⁴ On his death-bed Prabhâkaravardhana charged Harṣa, *inter alia*, to “make prize of feudatory kings.”⁵ When preparing for his campaigns, Harṣa receives exhortations from princes who already acknowledged the suzerainty of his dynasty and were faithful to it. When actually starting on his campaigns, he was accompanied by a number of Sâmantas.⁶ In the encounter between Harṣa and Pulakeśin, in which the former probably suffered a defeat, both the sovereigns were accompanied by a number of feudatories.⁷ In Harṣacarita a number of feudatories are seen waiting for an audience of the suzerain.⁸ Among others there was a forest chief who had earlier assisted Harṣa in the search for his sister.