The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c14.s9.t10.3

c14.s9.t10.3

The problem of *suhrit* (ally), one of the seven categories, should seem to be touched upon incidentally at almost every place where the problem of foreign invasion has been discussed (pp. 6-7). The topic may be said to have been rather carefully dealt with in the section on the treatment of *watandars*, i.e., hereditary officials, e.g. heads of villages, districts, provinces etc. They are no doubt small but independent chiefs of territories, says he. When a foreign invasion comes they are known to make peace with the invader and can become harmful to the kingdom. These "feudal" chiefs are therefore to be controlled in a careful manner so that they may be made to remain friendly to the king (pp. 33-35). In this discussion there are important considerations preparatory to an active foreign policy. But the formal treatment of friends and foes such as one is familiar with in the doctrine of *maṇḍala* has been avoided. The ideas of *sāma*, *dāna*, *bheda* and *daṇḍa* are accessible here although not in so many words. Rāmachandrapant has dealt with the actual circumstances of the Maratha political *milieu* and the method of adding to the strength of the *Svarājya* that he has to serve. All the same, his analysis has not considered it necessary to use the terminology or methodology of the “sphere of states” while detailing the manner in which the *Svarājya* is to become thornless and expand in all directions.