The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c14.s3.12

c14.s3.12

Nobody could yet attempt a systematic history of Pâtali-putra, the Rome of the Hindus off and on for over a thousand years. Authentic information about gilds and other public associations of economic or constitutional importance is all but negligible. Fiscal and military institutions can rarely be described for any period excepting that of the Mauryas, thanks to the epoch-making discovery of the *Arthaśâstra*. A study of the Vikramâdityan empire in comparison, say, with the system of Roman imperialism from Constantine to Justinian, the contemporaries of the Guptas, the historic prototypes of Kâlidâsa’s legendary Raghu, or with the Bourbon monarchy from Louis XI to Louis XIV is out of the question for a long time to come.