The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c17.90

c17.90

While the royal pomp subdued the imagination of the multitude, the unstinted royal generosity won their affection and gratitude. Yuan Chwang has recorded that even while travelling, Harṣa provided food and drink everyday for 1,000 Buddhist monks and 500 Brâhmaṇas.¹ Every year he gathered Buddhist Śramaṇs from all ‘countries’ and on the 3rd and 7th days bestowed on them the four kinds of alms—food, drink, medicine and clothing. Yuan Chwang was offered, though he declined, 10,000 pieces of gold, 30,000 pieces of silver, 100 garments of superior cotton, while the eighteen feudatory chiefs wanted to present him rare jewels.