The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c12.s1.t2.14

c12.s1.t2.14

Two other nationalities that have a pan-Indian reputation as having figured in the army of the Kurus in the armageddon of the *Mahâbhârata* happened to strike the imagination of the Greeks in an interesting way. These were the Mallois (Mâlavas) and the Oxydrakai (Kṣudrakas).² The former are described by Arrian simply as "a race of independent Indians". But the latter are singled out by him as by far the most attached to freedom and autonomy. From the military standpoint, both were very powerful peoples. But like Athenians and Spartans they had always been used to flying at each other's throats.