The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c10.s5.t2: 2. The People as King-makers
The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c10.s5.t2
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2. The People as King-makers
c10.s5.t2.1
Nor as regards title to kingship has the political psychology of Asians been at variance with that of Europeans. Succession to the mediaeval German Empire was determined, as a rule, by election. In France none but the immediate successors of Charlemagne were elected by the people. And in the history of the English Constitution election has been almost as important as the hereditary principle.
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Now, while hereditary succession was the rule in Hindu polity, the history of India can exhibit several authentic instances of popular election. The latest is that of Gopâla (*c* 730—40), the son of a successful soldier, who was "made by the *prakriti* (the people) to accept the throne".² Eventually he became the founder of the Pâla Empire of Bengal and Eastern India. Harṣa-vardhana (606—47) became Emperor of Upper India through election by ministers and magistrates in an assembly presided over by Premier Bhandi "the distinguished".³ On that occasion the people's approval was "shown in their songs".
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² Banerji's *Memoir*, p. 45.
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³ *Si-yu-ki*, Vol. I, pp. 210, 211.
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Rudra-dâmana (*c* 125—150) acknowledged his claim to the crown in the Satrapy of Western India because of election by "all the orders of the people".⁴ And Śiśunâga's Dynasty was set up, as we have seen, as the result of a mass movement. The city mob,⁵ infuriated at the parricide of Nâgadasako, and desirous of gratifying the whole nation, "unanimously installed in sovereignty the eminently wise minister bearing the historically distinguished appellation of Śiśunâga" (B. C. 603). Further, the *Mahâbhârata* records the tradition that Kuru⁶ was elected king by "all the people" because he was *dharmajña* i. e. proficient in law, and that the "people of the cities and villages" prevented Devapi's accession to the throne because he had *tvagdoṣa* or skin-disease⁷ (leprosy) and installed Śântanu the youngest son.
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⁴ *Ep. Ind.*, 1905—06, 43.
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⁵ *Mahâvamso*, p. 15.
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⁶ *Âdi-parva*, XCIV, 49; *Journal of the American Oriental Society*, 1889, pp. 137, 139, 143.
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⁷ Udyoga-parva, CXLIX, 23.
Linked texts (3)
- Epigraphia Indica
- Mahābhārata — Vyāsa, Sanskrit
- Mahāvaṃsa — Pāli