The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c17.12.7

c17.12.7

Bâṇa brings numerous tributary hill-chiefs on the scene.⁹ Relating his own experiences, he describes the camps of ‘subject kings.’ When called for an interview, he has to pass through three courts, crowded with “ subject kings,” before he meets Harṣa in the fourth.¹ The ranks of feudatories seem to have merged insensibly into those of aristocrats who were only large landowners. Thus, in his bereavement Harṣa is attended closely by many young nobles whose families had long enjoyed the favour of the Vardhana court.² The body of the dead king Prabhâkaravardhana was taken by nobles and townsmen headed by the family priest to the Saraswatt.³