The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c2.1

c2.1

THE scope of this thesis is confined to the treatment of the structure and practical working of political institutions in Northern India in ancient times, i.e., up to the Muslim conquest. The discussion of the origines of institutions is excluded from the work, except in so far as it is essential to an explanation of the structure of institutions in historical times. Social institutions in general, social or political theory, ordinary political history, and the institutions of the Deccan and the south of India are touched upon only as auxiliaries to the main theme. The work is based on a first-hand study of the original sources. In handling Vedic evidence, the Vedic Index of Professors Macdonell and Keith has been useful as suggesting references to original authorities. Dr. Richard Fick's Social Organisation in North-Eastern India in Buddha's time has likewise been extremely helpful for the Jātakas. A good many of the references in Chapter V (on Jātakas) are identical with those in Dr. Fick's excellent treatise but the sixth book of the Jātakas has also been utilised; some new facts are adduced throughout and fresh conclusions enunciated. In connection with Epic data some suggestions were derived from the well-known essay of Dr. Hopkins on the Social and Military Position of the Ruling Caste (J. A. O. S., XIII, 1888). In Chapters X and XII and in a few paragraphs of other chapters, dealing with theoretical books, the material used is much the same as in my Theory of Government in Ancient India (post-Vedic) but the point of view is different and some of the passages utilised are also different.