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Ancient Indian Kingship Analysis

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Origin and Evolution of Kingship: An Ancient Indian Perspective
C. Panduranga Bhatta
An attempt is made here to provide insights on the origin and evolution of kingship from ancient India, mainly based on Sanskrit literature which is vast and comprehensive. Sanskrit literary sources champion the cause of higher values of kingship which would include personal discipline, acting according to the law, respecting the learned, ethics and compassion.
Epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata and the works on polity like Kautilya’s Arthashastra, literary works of Kalidasa, Shukanasa’s famous advice to the young prince appearing in the Kadambari of Bana Bhatta, Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of ‘Ramarajya’, and Lord Buddha’s ‘ten duties of a king’- …show more content…

Akkoda -non-anger, freedom from hatred and ill will
8. Avihimsa -non-violence and promoting peace
9. Khanti -forbearance, patience, tolerance and understanding
10. Avirodha -non-opposition i.e. ruling in harmony with his people

The Ten duties of Kings are widely accepted as a yardstick which could be applied just as well to modern government as to the first ruler of the world. Ashoka, the Great (299 B.C-234 B.C) who ruled his kingdom in accordance with the principles of non-violence and compassion as mentioned in the “ten duties of the king” is always held up as an ideal Buddhist king.24

In conclusion it may be said that the message conveyed by the ancient Sanskrit literature is that the personal virtues, human qualities, moral, and ethical values of the kings should be of the highest order. In addition, they must possess competence in all the different dimensions of leadership skills, including management of human relations. The kings should control lust, anger, greed, pride and arrogance. They must keep themselves free from all weaknesses and vices as far as possible to achieve success.
References:
1. Altekar, A.S. State and Government in Ancient India, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, New Delhi, 1992,

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