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170 INDIA AS DESCRIBED, IN EARLY TE
sources of their income were the land duties on trade commodities, unclaim w and presents on festive occasions. pear to have owned private lands, and o nial ploughing or sowing by them
other big farmers, was one of the estivals of the year. The conquest kingdom and annexation of a new
t
bled the victors to obtain abunda
The victory celebrations
ne of the memorable festive
Hunting of deer was a favourite time of many kings. The happiness and joy of the subjects greatly depended on the good rule and righteousness on the part of the ruler, and their misery and distress on his misrule. The chariots of the kings were drawn by four horses of superior breed, all-white in colour. The state-elephant preferably allwhite, was a special object of veneration, and according to popular belief, the welfare of the kingdom or territory depended on its auspicious presence. The famine due to drought was sought to be remedied by the presence of such elephants. The state-elephant bore special names, 0.g., Puņdarīka. The Indian army was composed of the elephant-riders,
1 Jataka, iv, p. 167. 2 Ibid., v, p. 98.
Tbid., 11, p. 368f. 4 Pundańka was the name of the state-elephant of king Pasenadi.
