The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c17.187

c17.187

A small amount of supplementary evidence on the politics of the 7th century A.D. can be gathered from a few literary works. To Harṣa himself has been attributed the authorship of three dramatic pieces—Nâgânanda, Ratnâvalî and Priyadarśikâ. There is, however, nothing in them to show that they are the handiwork of an experienced statesman. They are cast in the usual mould and their political touches are far from refreshing. I-tsing, indeed, affirms that Nâgânanda had been dramatised by Harṣa but all that can be asserted with certainty is that the play was composed in the 7th century A.D., probably at the emperor's court. It faithfully reflects contemporary political conditions when, in the very prologue, it refers to the Râjasamûha, the crowd of Râjas, who bowed to the feet of Harṣa. Obeisance of this character is held in the inscriptions also to symbolise the relationship of suzerainty and vassalage. One is reminded of Yuan Chwang's statement when, in the beginning of the fourth Act of Nâgânanda, the chamberlain speaks of the king as one who put everything in order in the cities and who rectified all wrongs by means of punishments according to Nîti. As in the dramatic works of preceding epochs, princes have their boon companions, Vidûṣakas, jesters.¹ In other acts of Nâgânanda there appears a superintendent of the harem, a chamberlain and other household officers.² On the basis of tradition as well as internal evidence, Ratnâvalî may be held to belong to the seventh century. In its fourth Act it brings a crowd of feudatories round the suzerain. The description of the royal camp corroborates Bâṇabhaṭṭa and Yuan Chwang.³