The State in Ancient India: A Study in the Structure and Practical Working of Political Institutions in North India in Ancient Times c21.56

c21.56

On the very face of it the scheme is theoretical. Elsewhere Śukra applies some of these designations to government officers who were placed in charge of districts of various sizes.² Taken together, the passages imply that federal-feudalism was the order of the day and that vassals were often employed in high positions under the sovereign. Śukra advocates tighter control on feudatories than his predecessors in political theory had contemplated. They must be closely watched and, if they misbehaved, might be deposed or pensioned off.³