The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c19.52

c19.52

A king had usually a big harem which was sometimes increased by questionable means. For instance, a king falls in love with a girl, much younger than himself, daughter of a merchant who was on friendly terms with him.¹ On the other hand, ministers sometimes intrigued with the ladies of the royal seraglio.² The king's household expenditure was generally heavy. In the ninth century A.D. the household was placed in charge of a superintendent designated Grihakritya.³