[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Vedic Index of Names and Subjects](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912) › v2.c4.s5.211 # Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s5.211 Vedic Index of Names and Subjects v2.c4.s5.211 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c4.s5.211](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s5.211) \*The King in Peace.\*—In return for his warlike services the king received the obedience¹⁶—sometimes forced¹⁷—of the people, and in particular their contributions for the maintenance of royalty. The king is regularly¹⁸ regarded as ‘devouring the people,’ but this phrase must not be explained as meaning that he necessarily oppressed them. It obviously has its origin in a custom by which the king and his retinue were fed by the people’s contributions, a plan with many parallels. It is also probable that the king could assign the royal right of maintenance to a Kṣatriya, thus developing a nobility supported by the people. Taxation would not normally fall on Kṣatriya or Brahmin; the texts contain emphatic assertions of the exemption of the goods of the latter from the royal bounty.¹⁹ In the people, however, lay the strength of the king.²⁰ See also Bali. - [Previous: v2.c4.s5.210](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s5.210) - [Next: v2.c4.s5.212](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s5.212) - [Up: v2.c4.s5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s5) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s5.211](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.macdonell-keith-1912.v2.c4.s5.211) · Pramāṇa