[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Polity, law and society](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity) › [The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928) › c19.2 # The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c19.2 The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c19.2 - **Language:** English ### [c19.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19.2) The administrative system of the northern plains obtained with some modifications in mountainous regions like Kashmir and Chambâ. Thanks to Kalhaṇa one can trace the practical working of institutions from age to age in greater detail for Kashmir than for any other region in the north. The Râjatarangiṇî, as the composition of Kalhaṇa is called, is easily the most important of the few historical works in Sanskrit. The author lived in the twelfth century A.D. and writes romance rather than history for the early ages from which his narrative begins. But as he approaches his own times he gains in accuracy, definiteness and fulness. He based his history partly on Nilamatas, blue records, an expression which reminds one of Blue Books. It appears that such records of political and other happenings were regularly kept in Kashmir. Kalhaṇa’s long narrative brings to light some novel features of political life.¹ - [Previous: c18.159](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c18.159) - [Next: c19.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19.3) - [Up: c19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19) ## Linked texts (1) - [Rājataraṅgiṇī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.historical.kashmir.rajatarangini) — Kalhaṇa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19.2) · Pramāṇa