[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) › c19.90 # The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c19.90 The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c19.90 - **Language:** English ### [c19.90](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19.90) There were only too many officials of all ranks who were corrupt and oppressive. King Uccala (1101—1111 A.D.) always thought that "officials in truth are eager to kill, desirous of evil, robbers of others' property, rogues and demons; he (the king) should protect the people against them."⁴ The historian pauses to comment on the king's opinion in yet stronger terms, comparing the petty officials to cholera, colic, exhaustion, crabs, poison, trees, etc.⁵ King Uccala punished them relentlessly.⁶ He degraded them, dismissed them from office, imprisoned them, inflicted fancy punishments on them and reduced many of them to utter poverty, ridicule and humiliation.⁷ The king felt it necessary to endeavour all day long to know what the people thought and how they fared.⁸ He went about incognito among the people.⁹ Such strict supervision on the part of a king must have gone a long way to secure good government. - [Previous: c19.89](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19.89) - [Next: c19.91](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19.91) - [Up: c19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19.90](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.polity.prasad-1928.c19.90) · Pramāṇa